Seoul, Dec 29 (NationPress) The United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will encounter a decisive response, including military-technical countermeasures, if they make new missile threats against Russia, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday.

"We are ready for any scenario. If new missile threats are established, our adversaries will confront a decisive response in the form of military-technical countermeasures. Simultaneously, potential measures to create acceptable conditions for fair dialogue will be considered," Lavrov mentioned in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia is mainly interested in a comprehensive strategy to decrease conflict potential, concentrating on tackling the root causes of fundamental security disputes, as reported by Xinhua news agency, citing the interview.

"NATO's prolonged eastward expansion continues to be a significant factor behind the Ukrainian crisis and poses a threat to Russia's security. Arms control issues could theoretically be negotiable, but only as part of a wider agenda," Lavrov remarked.

According to the interview, Lavrov indicated that Russia may have to revoke its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-based intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, as it has become nearly unfeasible despite its official status.

Lavrov pointed out the recent testing of Russia's latest medium-range hypersonic system, Oreshnik, in combat situations.

"This clearly demonstrated our capabilities and our resolve to implement compensatory measures," Lavrov stated.

He also noted that Russia is amenable to negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict, but such discussions must address its root causes and reflect the current realities.

"We are prepared for negotiations, but they must aim to tackle the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis and consider the actual situation on the ground," Lavrov expressed.

Lavrov underscored the necessity of guaranteeing Ukraine's non-aligned, neutral and non-nuclear status to eliminate long-term threats to Russia's security posed by the West, including NATO expansion.

"Kyiv must undertake specific commitments to safeguard the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian-speaking citizens," he added.

Earlier, Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's Head of the Presidential Office, stated that Ukraine was not ready to enter negotiations with Russia, as it lacked sufficient Western backing to engage from a position of strength, in an interview with Suspilne on December 12, as reported by local media Kyiv Independent.