Russia says it supports Islamabad's position that U.S. drone strikes targeting suspected militants within Pakistan's borders are a violation of the country's sovereignty.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in the Pakistani capital Thursday that Moscow believes no one has the right to violate a country's sovereignty. He spoke alongside his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar.

U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan's volatile northwest have remained a source of tension between Washington and Islamabad for years. Publicly, the Pakistani government condemns the strikes and demands that Washington provides it with the technology for its own use. However, U.S. officials and regional experts say Islamabad provides Washington with assistance behind closed doors in determining and finding targets.

The Pakistani public also protests the strikes, in part, complaining that they kill civilians. The number of strikes has increased since U.S. President Barack Obama took office in 2009. U.S. officials credit the strikes with killing high-ranking militants in the semi-autonomous border area with Afghanistan.

On the issue of Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Lavrov said Russia has agreed with Pakistan that a solution to the war must emerge from within Pakistan. He also said that Moscow supports reconciliation efforts between the Afghan government and those who support the country's constitution and do not engage in terrorist activities.

Lavrov visited Pakistan this week in place of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had to cancel his trip due to his schedule.

A summit among Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Afghanistan had been scheduled this week, however, organizers postponed the event.