Lavrov says Russia will cooperate with West on fighting terrorism

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's Foreign Minister said Moscow is continuing to cooperate with the West on fighting terrorism despite tensions over Ukraine, the Associated Press reports.

Sergey Lavrov said in a press conference Wednesday, Jan 21, that Russian security agencies have maintained contacts with counterparts in France, where five Russian citizens from the predominantly Muslim region of Chechnya were arrested in raids Tuesday.

Lavrov would not say whether Russia had shared intelligence information that led to the arrests. He emphasized that Russia is also cooperating with other countries in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and other threats, but did not elaborate.

Despite tensions with the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly offered his condolences when 12 people were slain at French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo this month, and said Moscow was ready to help France combat terrorism.