Lavrov blames EU for destroying diplomatic ties in meeting with Haavisto
"The EU is continually tearing up relations," Lavrov said speaking at a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday blamed the European Union for the "destruction" of relations between Moscow and Brussels.
Speaking at a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on Monday in St Petersburg, Lavrov said the disintegration of the diplomatic relationship had been in the works for a long time.
"The EU is continually tearing up relations," Lavrov said.
He also reiterated his controversial remarks from an interview last week that Russia was prepared for a possible break in relations with the EU.
Lavrov also repeated his claim that the 2014 political crisis in Ukraine had been a turning point in relations with the bloc, alleging that EU members Germany, France and Poland had undermined the possibility for peace in eastern Ukraine.
Haavisto: Russia important partner
Finland's Haavisto said the EU was Russia's most important trading partner, but added that there were many differences between his government's position and Moscow's.
The EU foreign ministers want to discuss imposing further sanctions on Russia in response to the detention of leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny on 22 February.
Russia had warned that this could worsen relations further.