SOCHI, Russia, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to make the development of relations with the Asia Pacific region one of its top priorities, a Kremlin spokesman said Thursday in the country's Black Sea resort here.
The Asia Pacific region boasts great potential for cooperation with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during the briefing of a summit attended by representatives from Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Nevertheless, Peskov said that it was incorrect to interpret his statement as a sign of Russia's "strategic turn toward the East."
"We hope the period of certain mutual restrictions will be passed sooner or later, but, of course, Russia retains an interest in all directions," he said, referring to the West's ongoing sanctions against Russia due to its Ukraine policy.
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