Russia seeks to create a favourable environment for the domestic development of the Russian people. That means building peace and friendly mutually-beneficial cooperation with other countries.

Currently, Russia’s relations with the West have returned to the level of the Cold War. To reset, the West needs to understand and accept the reality of the changing system of international relations which is no longer dominated by the G7 developed countries. Diplomacy and dialogue is critical at this historical juncture and must be built on the basis of mutual respect and mutual consideration of each party’s interests and approaches.

The AIIA for WA’s Flavia Bellieni Zimmerman interviewed Russian Ambassador His Excellency Mr Grigory Logvinov before his talk on 20 September. They discussed Russian interests in Crimea and the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the UK.

HE Mr Grigory Logvinov is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Australia. Prior to taking up his current posting in 2016, he was Ambassador-at-large for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and special envoy for Northeast Asia Security.

Interview by Flavia Bellienni Zimmermann.

Video and editing by Nancye Miles-Tweedie.