Russia-US relations change fundamentally: Russian FM

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, October 6, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday that relations between Russia and the United States have undergone fundamental changes.

"Washington has unilaterally started to deteriorate the relationship with Moscow even before the Ukrainian crisis, and now it's time to admit that relations between the two countries have undergone fundamental changes," Lavrov said in an interview with the Russian TV Channel One.

Lavrov said that Washington policies on Russia are based on "aggressive Russophobia" and their implementations are hurting Russia's national interests and threatening Russia's security.

"The approach of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and its military infrastructure along our borders, the deployment of the US heavy weapons, and also the sanctions are a manifestation of unfriendly, I would say, hostile actions," said the Russian foreign minister.

Earlier this month, Washington suspended negotiations with Moscow on restoring ceasefire in Syria, slamming Moscow for a military role in the attacks on the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Russia, in return, has called a halt in cooperation programs with the United States in the nuclear and energy fields.