In an apparent softening of Russia's reaction to the European Union's (EU) Eastern Partnership program, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow does not rule out joining the alliance that the 27-nation bloc formed with six ex-Soviet states earlier this year.
Addressing a news conference Wednesday with Belorussian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov in Moscow, Lavrov said the government "will study the proposals on our joining some projects or others within the framework of the Eastern Partnership."
His comments come a few days after President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed the Partnership as useless.
Martynov said it was "highly advisable" for Russia to join the Eastern Partnership, of which Belarus is also a member.
Keen to "accelerate political association and further economic integration" with the states of the South Caucasus, the EU launched in May an 'Eastern Partnership' with six ex-Soviet republics - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The Partnership envisages an EU aid of 600 million euros between 2010 and 2013 for financial programs in these countries, where democratic process is improving.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.