Russia is not seeking war with the US and NATO, the country’s top diplomat said as he signaled openness for further dialogue despite the West’s rejection of its sweeping security demands.

“If it depends on Russia, there will be no war. We don’t want a war. But we won’t allow [the West] to rudely ignore and trample on our interests”, - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a videoconference with Russian radio broadcasters.

He accused Western governments “hysterically advancing” the threat of Russia invading Ukraine.