Europe

Russia seeks pragmatic US ties and "post-West" world order

Associated Press
Published | Updated

German Chacellor Angela Merkel, left, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shake hands during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. The annual weekend gathering is known for providing an open and informal platform to meet in close quarters. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (The Associated Press)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gestures during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. The annual weekend gathering is known for providing an open and informal platform to meet in close quarters. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (The Associated Press)

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and United States Vice President Mike Pence meet during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. The annual weekend gathering is known for providing an open and informal platform to meet in close quarters. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (The Associated Press)

Russia's foreign minister says that Moscow wants "pragmatic relations" with the United States but also is voicing its desire for a "post-West world order."

Sergey Lavrov addressed the Munich Security Conference hours after Vice President Mike Pence told the gathering Saturday that the U.S. will "hold Russia accountable" even as the new administration searches for common ground with Moscow.

Lavrov said Russia wants "pragmatic relations, mutual respect, understanding our special responsibility for global stability."

He added: "We have immense potential that has yet to be tapped into, and we're open for that inasmuch as the U.S. is open for that as well."

More broadly, Lavrov said he hopes "responsible leaders" will choose to create a "just world order - if you want you can call it a post-West world order."