Lavrov urges Europe to drop ‘geopolitical games’ after Brussels attacks

“I really hope that Europeans, in the face of the terrible threat of terrorism that occurred yesterday [March 22] in Brussels, will put aside their geopolitical games and unite to prevent terrorists from acting on our continent,” Lavrov was quoted by Russian agencies as telling his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during a joint press conference.

Europe is facing a security crisis after the triple bomb attacks in Brussels, which left 31 dead, and the Nov. 13, 2015 bomb and gun assaults in Paris that killed 130.

Russia’s call to unite against terrorism comes amid a diplomatic push over the conflict in Syria.

Steinmeier was in Moscow March 23, to be followed by U.S. State Secretary John Kerry. They are scheduled to meet separately with Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin.