Western countries are trying to create a zone of instability around Russia at the expense of their close neighbours.

Axar.az reports that the statement came from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"By trying to create a zone of instability around us, they are forcing our close neighbours, our brotherly peoples, to choose. They want to seize the territories around us militarily and economically, to encircle us with a sanitary cordon. The West will have a decisive influence on the development of our neighbouring countries in order to benefit in some way," he said.

Lavrov said the West was confusing the situation, especially in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.

"Now our colleagues in the West want to expand their presence, including their military presence, along our borders, in Central Asia and the South Caucasus."

Lavrov also said that the West intends to confuse the situation in Russia on the eve of the Duma elections.