Interfax: Lavrov mentions Magnitsky List, missile defense, adoptions among irritants in Russian-U.S. relations

MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) – Washington’s attempts to expand the so-called Magnitsky List are an extra irritant in relations between Russia and the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said referring to the list of Russian officials suspected of human rights abuses and subject to U.S. financial and visa sanctions under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.

Speaking during the Government Hour at the Federation Council on Wednesday, Lavrov mentioned a number of irritants in relations between Russia and the U.S., including the missile defense problem and adoptions of Russian orphans.

“There are also other irritants, including attempts to endlessly expand the so-called Magnitsky List,” Lavrov said.

“Problems with Russian children adopted” by U.S. families are another factor regularly producing tensions in relations between the two countries, he said.

“We are holding a regular dialogue on all these issues,” he said.

Relations between Russia and the U.S. play a key role in a number of international problems, Lavrov said.

“What counts most is that we should develop them on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs, mutual respect, and consideration for each other’s interests,” he said.