MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that regional stability cannot be achieved if parties exclude Russia and force their own will.
Lavrov made the statement during a speech at the Munich Security Conference in which global leaders gathered to discuss world's major security issues.
Lavrov said the world is in an era when "old crisis deepen while new crisis emerge" and Russia's participation is key to maintain stability in some tense regions. He added that some initiatives to resolve security crisis were "NATO-oriented."
"We cannot strengthen one's security at the expense of others," Lavrov said.
The foreign minister's statement came about half an hour after the speech by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence who had called on NATO members to stay committed and strong to fend off alleged Russia's threat.
Lavrov called the standoff between Europe and Russia "senseless," saying that Europe has suffered huge losses from the sanctions against Russia.
Russia is interested in a strong, independent and open EU, "no matter what numerous speculations might say," Lavrov said.
