Russian FM Lavrov disagrees that Moscow has "lost" Ukraine, he said commenting on Western media claims that ties between Russia and its neighbor have been damaged beyond repair by the civil conflict in eastern Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov disagrees that Moscow has "lost" Ukraine, he said commenting on Western media claims that ties between Russia and its neighbor have been damaged beyond repair by the civil conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea's decision to rejoin Russia.

Russian-Ukrainian relations are likely to return to the pre-crisis level when the civil conflict in the country is over, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.

“I disagree that we had ‘lost’ Ukraine,” he said, commenting on Western media claims that ties between Russia and its neighbor have been damaged beyond repair by the civil conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea's decision to rejoin Russia.

“I’m convinced that this tragic period in the history of Ukraine will eventually be over, that the people of Ukraine will decide to reconcile through the unity of all parts of Ukraine on the basis of compromise and balance of interests… Attitude to Russia will be wonderful in such a state,” the Russian minister said.