The European Union has turned into a hostile power and has “lost” Russia, which will react in a “tough” way if necessary, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview published today.

“The European Union has ‘lost’ Russia. And the responsibility is hers,” Mr. Lavrov told the online edition of the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty (“Arguments and Facts”). “It is the EU member states and EU leaders who are openly stating that they consider it necessary to achieve, as they put it, a strategic defeat in Russia.”

The head of Russian diplomacy added that Moscow has made its decisions on how to deal with the European Union, which he stressed is supplying the “criminal regime” in Kiev with weapons and sending them trainers.

“In response to hostile measures, we will act in a harsh manner if necessary, based on Russia’s national interests and the principle of reciprocity, which is accepted in diplomatic practice,” he said.