Lavrov: Russia has 'absolutely no intention' of crossing Ukrainian border

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that Russia has "absolutely no intention or interest in crossing the Ukrainian border."

The statement comes after Western nations warned Russia that their large military presence on Ukraine's eastern border must be pulled back. The presence has made Ukrainians and Western allies nervous that Russia will extend their annexation of Crimea further into Ukraine.

Lavrov says negotiations with other countries in the region only consist of repairing and using existing Russian infrastructure in those countries and maintaining their Navy. He also said what they are doing is nothing like what the U.S. does with its military in other countries.

"There is no intention whatsoever of building bases like American bases, nor any agreements conducted akin to those conducted by Americans, which include ensuring the immunity of American personnel from persecution for crimes committed on the territory of the host country."

Lavrov met with Kerry after the tensions between the two countries escalated with visa bans on prominent government officials of both countries and economic sanctions. The sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and Europe made a significant blow to the Russian economy. Kerry said that both he and his Russian counterpart agreed there needs to be a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine.

[WSJ]