Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Gaza

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in Gaza.

Speaking at a news conference, Lavrov expressed support for the Egyptian initiative for halting the fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the enclave, noting that the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza warranted instant action to cease firing as a prelude to holding talks among the concerned parties to seek a more viable truce, according to Kuna agency.

On new western sanctions against his country over the Ukraine, Lavrov said Moscow would not retaliate for the curbs in a similar fashion, arguing that the curbs would not affect the Russian economy.

He regretted serious deterioration of relations between Russia and the west and called for establishing mutual cooperation on basis of common interests.