Kerry’s visit organized at an urgent request of US — Russian Foreign Ministry

Washington’s statements about certain ‘isolation’ of Russia are ridiculous against the background of a second for this year visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"We have been rather surprised by statements coming from Washington, including through an official representative of the White House, within the context of the upcoming arrival in Moscow of US Secretary of State John Kerry," the commentary said. "Allegations about certain ‘isolation’ of Russia on the international arena look especially absurd," it continued.

"Taking into consideration the fact that the US secretary of state goes to our country for the second time in the past seven months, such propaganda approaches are simply ridiculous," it said, stressing that "like in May, the visit was organized at an urgent request of the American side".

Russia "is open for constructive partnership, but it is possible only on the principles of equality and mutual respect," it continued. "Washington can pretend to itself that sanctions against us are ‘efficient’ as long as it likes," the statement said.

"In determining spheres for joint with the US activity, we continue to be guided solely by own interests, including the task of strengthening our own and international security," it said.

This "fully refers to the Syrian theme, on which Washington seeks support for American approaches that are not always compatible with international law," it said. "At talks in Moscow tomorrow we hope to receive necessary explanations from the secretary of state. We, for our part, will keep seeking that the US administration review its policy that seeks to divide terrorists into ‘good’ and ‘bad’," the commentary added.

Moscow states with regret that even after a terrorist attack against a Russian passenger plane on October 31, the US "is not demonstrating readiness for establishing full-value coordination with us in fight against Islamic State (banned in Russia)," it went on.

"Besides, despite a memorandum on ensuring the safety of flights by warplanes in the Syrian airspace signed by the defense ministries of the two states, Washington that had assumed responsibility for the activity of the coalition it leads, failed to ensure the implementation of provisions of that document by its ally Turkey," the communique said.

Moscow "expects a businesslike conversation with the US secretary of state on December 15," it summed up.