🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to questions from teachers and students of the Armenian branches of Russian universities, members of the expert community, and activists of the youth wing of the Eurasia Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation (Yerevan, May 21, 2025)
💬 Subsequent to the meeting between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in autumn 2024 – during which our leaders resolved to reinstate comprehensive contacts across all areas, as these had, to a certain degree, lapsed somewhat in the period preceding their discussions – and in accordance with the leaders’ understanding, I received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan who visited Moscow in January. We are now here on a reciprocal visit.
We are engaging in the frankest discussions – not only on matters positively received by both capitals and conducive to expanding mutually beneficial projects, but also on issues where our perspectives diverge. This includes, notably, the processes unfolding in the South Caucasus, where, broadly speaking, two trends are in contention.
The first trend involves respecting the sovereign choices of the countries situated here – the nations of the South Caucasus, Transcaucasia – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia – while also acknowledging the legitimate interests of their immediate neighbours: Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. <...>
The second trend is precisely that our Western counterparts – primarily the European Union, <...> openly sought to extend their dominant influence over this region, to bend unfolding processes to their will, and to prevent the consolidation of the three South Caucasus states with their major neighbours – Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. This objective persists.
This trend, this modus operandi of our Western colleagues, is not unique to the South Caucasus but extends to Central Asia and other parts of our vast, shared continent. <...> In contrast, our stance is based on equality, mutual respect and, above all, the principles that have been set out in the UN Charter and are approved by everyone without exception.
<...>
The promise not to expand NATO has been thrown down the drain. <...> We have warned them over the past 20 years, almost on the daily basis, that all this could come to grief. But after the 2014 coup d’etat, they began converting Ukraine to an “anti-Russia.” <...>
So now, when they tell us: Let us have a ceasefire and then we’ll see, we say: No way, guys, we have been through it all before. We don’t want it that way any longer. And so today, when all these Macrons, Starmers, Ursulas von der Leyen, and other European characters are writhing in hysterics and urging the US to join the anti-Russia crusade and increase the number of sanctions, this is a complete giveaway for them.
***
Geopolitics and geography alike underscore the necessity of building bridges among all nations across the Eurasian continent. This means, first and foremost, fostering cooperation among the existing regional structures: the #SCO, the #EAEU, the #CSTO, the #CIS, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the GCC, and ASEAN. <...>
However, there are those who are intent on preventing such a mutually beneficial unification of the countries across Eurasia, including those in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Nevertheless, we continue to advance this effort.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has proposed the creation of a Greater Eurasian Partnership, rooted in practical cooperation and the interaction of existing integration structures, which would serve as the foundation for a future Eurasian security architecture.
<...>
🤝 We anticipate that Armenia will take part in these processes. We fully respect the desire of our Armenian partners to develop relations with other countries, whether European or non-European, and with international organisations across various regions.
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🎙 Fjalimi dhe përgjigjet e pyetjeve të Ministrit të Punëve të Jashtme të Federatës Ruse S.V.Lavrov gjatë “orës së qeverisë” në Dumën e Shtetit (Moskë, 19 shkurt 2025)
💬 S.V.Lavrov:
Detyra kryesore e shërbimit tonë diplomatik ishte dhe mbetet, siç parashikohet në të gjitha versionet e Konceptit të Politikës së Jashtme (përfshirë atë më të fundit të datës 31 mars 2023), të promovojë krijimin e kushteve të jashtme të favorshme, të sigurta për të garantuar zhvillimin progresiv të vendit tonë, sovranitetin e tij ekonomik dhe teknologjik dhe rritjen e mirëqenies dhe cilësisë së jetës së qytetarëve rusë. <...>
🌐 Lëvizja kryesore në fazën aktuale mbetet lëvizja drejt një rendi botëror shumëpolar. Ky është një proces historik në shkallë, i shoqëruar me tendenca objektive të shfaqjes në hartën botërore të qendrave të reja të pushtetit nga vendet e Shumicës Botërore. <...>
🤝 Ndër prioritetet tona rajonale është forcimi i “brezit të fqinjësisë së mirë” përmes integrimit të qëndrueshëm me fqinjët tanë dhe ruajtjen e stabilitetit në Euroazinë e Madhe.
Ne po e zgjidhim këtë problem si në baza dypalëshe me shtetet përkatëse, ashtu edhe në kuadër të strukturave të tilla si #CSTO, #CIS, #EAEU, #SCO dhe struktura të tjera shumëpalëshe.
Më 14 korrik 2023, Presidenti V.V.Putin, gjatë fjalimit në Ministrinë e Punëve të Jashtme, paraqiti një iniciativë strategjike të krijimit të një arkitekture sigurie euroaziatike për të zëvendësuar modelin e falimentuar euro-atlantik. Arkitektura euroaziatike do të jetë e hapur për të gjitha shtetet e bashkimit të të gjithë kontinentit tonë, përfshirë edhe pjesën evropiane të tij.
Ne besojmë se të gjithë duhet të kenë mundësinë të kontribuojnë në mirëqenien e një kontinenti të përbashkët dhe të vetëm. Më i madhi, më i populluari dhe, ndoshta, më premtuesi për sa i përket zhvillimit ekonomik.
Ky vit shënohet me 80 vjetorin e Fitores së Madhe dhe 80 vjetorin e krijimit të OKB-së. Si më parë, ne do t'i kushtojmë vëmendje të vazhdueshme bashkimit të përpjekjeve ndërkombëtare për të luftuar çdo manifestim të neo-nazizmit, rusofobisë dhe formave të tjera të intolerancës racore dhe fetare. <...>
❗️ Nënvizoj se linja e politikës së jashtme e miratuar nga Presidenti i Federatës Ruse V.V.Putin ka një natyrë afatgjatë, strategjike. Ajo nuk i nënshtrohet konjiunkturës së brendshme politike dhe nuk varet nga tekat e keqbërësve tanë.
Lexoni të plotë
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during the 9th Ministerial Meeting of Russia and Central Asia (Moscow, April 17, 2026)
💬Sergey Lavrov: I am pleased to welcome you to Moscow. We began our joint work yesterday at the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, and today we are holding the ninth meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asia. This in itself underscores the relevance of this six-party dialogue mechanism. In our view, it is developing successfully and dynamically, to the benefit of all participants.
In October 2025, the Second Russia – Central Asia Summit was held in the welcoming city of Dushanbe. During the summit, our leaders approved a Joint Action Plan for 2025-2027 and put forward a number of important initiatives. Our task now is to translate these decisions into concrete steps. The Action Plan serves as a framework document, outlining the key areas of our cooperation: trade, economic and investment ties, transport, energy, healthcare, environmental protection, security, cultural and humanitarian engagement, and migration.
Specific projects and initiatives are currently being developed within the six-party working groups established by the relevant agencies of Russia and your countries. As we noted today during the #CIS meeting, our relations are grounded in equality, mutual respect, and careful consideration of each other’s interests. They truly deserve the highest recognition as an example of a modern and forward-looking model of international partnership.
Our leaders maintain close and regular communication, both bilaterally and within integration frameworks such as the #CIS, the #EAEU, the #CSTO, and the #SCO. Active contacts are also sustained among heads of government, deputy prime ministers, and the leadership of parliaments, ministries, and agencies.
Despite the current geopolitical turbulence – which we examined in detail during today’s CIS meetings – we have succeeded in maintaining a consistently high level of trade turnover. In 2025, it continued to grow, approaching the $50 billion mark.
As I have already noted, cultural and humanitarian cooperation continues to develop. Through our joint efforts, and at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,the International Organisation of the Russian Language was established. The Russian language remains a key means of communication not only between Russia and the Central Asian states, but also among the peoples of the broader post-Soviet space. Our approaches to international issues are closely aligned and, in most cases, coincide.
We greatly appreciatethat, despite unprecedented external pressure, the Central Asian countries remain committed to their allied obligations, thereby contributing to the dynamic development of our friendly and mutually beneficial relations, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, including the Russia – Central Asia mechanism.
I hope that today we will be able to make a tangible contribution to the implementation of the decisions adopted at the second Russia – Central Asia Summit in Dushanbe.
🗓 On February 19, a ‘Government Hour’ with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the priorities of the foreign policy of the Russian Federationwas held as part of a plenary meeting of the State Duma.
The Foreign Minister informed the parliamentarians about the key areas of the Russian diplomacy’s efforts in the context of the current geopolitical realities and the Ministry’s tasks to protect national interests and strengthen the country’s leading positions on the global arena.
The list of issues raised at the meeting included settling the conflict around Ukraine, initiatives to create a Eurasian security architecture and combat neocolonialism, cooperation within the Union State, the #CSTO, the #EAEU, the #CIS, the #SCO, expanding multifaceted interaction with all sensible partners and, above all, with the states of the Global Majority, countering the hegemonic aspirations of the West, protecting the rights and interests of Russian citizens and compatriots abroad.
Following the discussion, Sergey Lavrov highlighted the importance of further deepening the regular dialogue with elected representatives that contributes to the effective implementation of the unified foreign policy of the Russian Federation, which enjoys consensus support.
✨️ On October 16, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev took part in the opening ceremony of the Eurasian Chapter of the Consortium for Asia-Pacific and Eurasian Studies.
During his speech, Ambassador Khorev emphasized the importance of finding ways to strengthen the Eurasian community amid ongoing global turbulence.
❗️Focusing on the collaborative effort between Russia and Belarus to establish a new framework for Eurasian security, Ambassador underscored the accomplishments of Eurasian integration within the context of prominent regional organizations, including the #EAEU, #CSTO, #CIS, and #SCO. He noted that there were no obstacles to Pakistan intensifying its cooperation with the EAEU, including signing a free trade agreement.
🤝 During the discussion, participants emphasized Russia's pivotal role in ensuring food, energy, and military security in Eurasia.
🇷🇺🇵🇰 They discussed opportunities for expanding economic cooperation between Russia, Pakistan, and other regional countries, as well as ways to intensify cultural dialogue, educational exchanges, and academic contacts between the peoples of Eurasia.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks during the 9th Ministerial Meeting of Russia and Central Asia (Moscow, April 17, 2026)
💬Sergey Lavrov: I am pleased to welcome you to Moscow. We began our joint work yesterday at the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, and today we are holding the ninth meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia and Central Asia. This in itself underscores the relevance of this six-party dialogue mechanism. In our view, it is developing successfully and dynamically, to the benefit of all participants.
In October 2025, the Second Russia – Central Asia Summit was held in the welcoming city of Dushanbe. During the summit, our leaders approved a Joint Action Plan for 2025-2027 and put forward a number of important initiatives. Our task now is to translate these decisions into concrete steps. The Action Plan serves as a framework document, outlining the key areas of our cooperation: trade, economic and investment ties, transport, energy, healthcare, environmental protection, security, cultural and humanitarian engagement, and migration.
Specific projects and initiatives are currently being developed within the six-party working groups established by the relevant agencies of Russia and your countries. As we noted today during the #CIS meeting, our relations are grounded in equality, mutual respect, and careful consideration of each other’s interests. They truly deserve the highest recognition as an example of a modern and forward-looking model of international partnership.
Our leaders maintain close and regular communication, both bilaterally and within integration frameworks such as the #CIS, the #EAEU, the #CSTO, and the #SCO. Active contacts are also sustained among heads of government, deputy prime ministers, and the leadership of parliaments, ministries, and agencies.
Despite the current geopolitical turbulence – which we examined in detail during today’s CIS meetings – we have succeeded in maintaining a consistently high level of trade turnover. In 2025, it continued to grow, approaching the $50 billion mark.
As I have already noted, cultural and humanitarian cooperation continues to develop. Through our joint efforts, and at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,the International Organisation of the Russian Language was established. The Russian language remains a key means of communication not only between Russia and the Central Asian states, but also among the peoples of the broader post-Soviet space. Our approaches to international issues are closely aligned and, in most cases, coincide.
We greatly appreciatethat, despite unprecedented external pressure, the Central Asian countries remain committed to their allied obligations, thereby contributing to the dynamic development of our friendly and mutually beneficial relations, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, including the Russia – Central Asia mechanism.
I hope that today we will be able to make a tangible contribution to the implementation of the decisions adopted at the second Russia – Central Asia Summit in Dushanbe.
🎙 FM Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to questions from teachers and students of the Armenian branches of Russian universities, members of the expert community, and activists of the youth wing of the Eurasia Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation (Yerevan, May 21, 2025)
💬 Subsequent to the meeting between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan in autumn 2024 – during which our leaders resolved to reinstate comprehensive contacts across all areas, as these had, to a certain degree, lapsed somewhat in the period preceding their discussions – and in accordance with the leaders’ understanding, I received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan who visited Moscow in January. We are now here on a reciprocal visit.
We are engaging in the frankest discussions – not only on matters positively received by both capitals and conducive to expanding mutually beneficial projects, but also on issues where our perspectives diverge. This includes, notably, the processes unfolding in the South Caucasus, where, broadly speaking, two trends are in contention.
The first trend involves respecting the sovereign choices of the countries situated here – the nations of the South Caucasus, Transcaucasia – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia – while also acknowledging the legitimate interests of their immediate neighbours: Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. <...>
The second trend is precisely that our Western counterparts – primarily the European Union, <...> openly sought to extend their dominant influence over this region, to bend unfolding processes to their will, and to prevent the consolidation of the three South Caucasus states with their major neighbours – Russia, Iran, and Türkiye. This objective persists.
This trend, this modus operandi of our Western colleagues, is not unique to the South Caucasus but extends to Central Asia and other parts of our vast, shared continent. <...> In contrast, our stance is based on equality, mutual respect and, above all, the principles that have been set out in the UN Charter and are approved by everyone without exception.
<...>
The promise not to expand NATO has been thrown down the drain. <...> We have warned them over the past 20 years, almost on the daily basis, that all this could come to grief. But after the 2014 coup d’etat, they began converting Ukraine to an “anti-Russia.” <...>
So now, when they tell us: Let us have a ceasefire and then we’ll see, we say: No way, guys, we have been through it all before. We don’t want it that way any longer. And so today, when all these Macrons, Starmers, Ursulas von der Leyen, and other European characters are writhing in hysterics and urging the US to join the anti-Russia crusade and increase the number of sanctions, this is a complete giveaway for them.
***
Geopolitics and geography alike underscore the necessity of building bridges among all nations across the Eurasian continent. This means, first and foremost, fostering cooperation among the existing regional structures: the #SCO, the #EAEU, the #CSTO, the #CIS, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the GCC, and ASEAN. <...>
However, there are those who are intent on preventing such a mutually beneficial unification of the countries across Eurasia, including those in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Nevertheless, we continue to advance this effort.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has proposed the creation of a Greater Eurasian Partnership, rooted in practical cooperation and the interaction of existing integration structures, which would serve as the foundation for a future Eurasian security architecture.
<...>
🤝 We anticipate that Armenia will take part in these processes. We fully respect the desire of our Armenian partners to develop relations with other countries, whether European or non-European, and with international organisations across various regions.
Read in full
🤝 On March 16-17, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Zhang Mingpaid a working visit to Moscow.
The Secretary-General was received by Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. He also held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.
During the exchange of views, they discussed key aspects of the organisation’s activities, including prospects for improvement in the context of current changes in global politics and the economy.
👆The Parties discussed the growing demand for creativity and the stabilising role of the SCO in today’s complex geopolitical situation and its notable contribution to shaping a multipolar architecture of international relations.
They exchanged views on strengthening the international standing of the #SCO with a focus on the need to deepen the dialogue with international partner organisations and multilateral associations, primarily the United Nations, the #CSTO, the #CIS, the #EAEU and also #ASEAN.
The Parties expressed the importance of enhancing the efficiency of the secretariat’s work with a view to further consolidating the SCO.
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⚡️Main Foreign Policy Outcomes of 2022⚡️
The year 2022 saw history-making events, such as the emergence of a new international reality, and became a turning point for Russia’s foreign policy.
👉 The recognition of the Donetsk & Lugansk People’s Republics, the start of the Special Military Operation in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, the referendums held in the DPR & LPR and the liberated territories of the Zaporozhye & Kherson regions and their subsequent integration into Russia – these events will forever go down in the history of Russia.
They put an end to 30 years of Russia’s honest attempts to develop equitable relations with the collective West.
✍️ Russia & other like-minded countries adopted a political declaration in support of the inviolability of the UN Charter.
✍️ An overwhelming majority of states members of the UN GA approved the annual Russia-initiated resolution on combating the glorification of Nazism.
✍️ At Russia’s initiative, the Joint Statement of the Leaders of the 5 Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War & Avoiding Arms Races was adopted in January 2022.
✅ International cooperation within the framework of the #EAEU, #SCO & #BRICS made rapid headway.
✅ Allied relations with Belarus continued to grow stronger.
✅ Several major initiatives have been implemented within the framework of the #CIS aimed at strengthening integration ties in all spheres of the organisation’s activities.
✅ The mechanisms of the #CSTO operated efficiently.
Russian diplomats have significantly stepped up efforts to achieve the peaceful settlement of international conflicts. Russia extensively supported stabilising the situation in Afghanistan. Russia has promoted a complex approach to the Syrian dossier, including within the Astana format. We have promoted comprehensive normalisation of the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
We have successfully developed ties with our many international partners who are interested in maintaining a constructive dialogue with Russia.
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✨️ On February 10, the Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies hosted a roundtable discussion titled "European and Eurasian Security: The View from Moscow and Islamabad," featuring experts from Russia, including IMEMO RAS Director Feodor Voitolovsky and researchers Gleb Makarevich and Maria Khorolskaya.
During their presentations, the Russian researchers discussed the historical conditions that led to the collapse of the Euro-Atlantic security system. They emphasized the importance of the initiative proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish a security architecture based on the primary regional integration structures — the #CIS, #SCO, #BRICS, #EAEU, and #CSTO — on the Eurasian continent.
Watch in full
✨️ On February 4, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev participated in a seminar titled "25 Years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Towards Fair Global Governance, Shared Sustainable Development, and Multilateral Cooperation," which was held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad.
❗️The Russian Ambassador noted that, in its 25 years of existence, the #SCO has firmly established itself as an influential international organization that actively contributes to the formation of a multipolar world order. He emphasized that Russian foreign policy consistently prioritizes steadily strengthening the SCO and enhancing its role in international affairs.
Albert P. Khorev emphasized the SCO's growing collective potential, allowing it to be viewed as a reliable foundation for establishing a system of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.
The Ambassador noted the promising prospects for combining the potential of the SCO and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the trade, economic, and social spheres. He emphasized that establishing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Armenia in August 2025 paved the way for a potential free trade agreement between Pakistan and the #EAEU.
Ambassador Khorev informed the audience about the trade, economic, social, and sporting events that were held in Russia in 2025 as part of our country's SCO Council of Heads of Government chairmanship. He noted the progress that SCO members have achieved in finance, investment, high technology, the digital economy, energy, and developing small and medium-sized enterprises. He praised the SCO countries' efforts to transition to mutual settlements in national currencies.
Albert P. Khorev thanked the SCO partners for supporting Russia's initiative to adopt a special thematic statement in which the leaders of the organization's member states honored the heroic actions of peace-loving peoples during World War II. The statement also reaffirmed the lasting importance of defeating fascism and militarism and confirmed the commitment of our countries to peace and tranquility.
He also emphasized the SCO's constructive role in addressing international conflicts, including those in Gaza, Iran, and Afghanistan. The Ambassador outlined Russia's approach to resolving the crisis in Ukraine. He discussed the SCO's collaboration with other international and regional organizations, such as the #UN, the #CIS, and the #CSTO.
In conclusion, the Ambassador assured the partners that Russia is committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship in strengthening the SCO in 2026.
Other prominent speakers included Special Secretary UN, Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, Ambassador Nabeel Munir; Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong; NUST Rector, Dr. Muhammad Zahid Latif; and NUST Institute of Political Studies Director General, Ashfaque Hasan Khan. SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev delivered a welcome speech to the participants via video link.
The speakers emphasized the important role of the SCO in promoting sustainable development in Eurasia. They underscored Russia's and China's significant contributions to strengthening peace and stability in Eurasia, as well as Pakistan's active efforts to enhance the SCO's effectiveness.
#Announcement
🗓 On May 27-29, 2025, in Moscow, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu will chair the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues.
Invitations to participate in this forum have been extended to more than 150 states of the Global South and East, the #CIS, #CSTO, #EAEU, and #SCO countries, as well as to the leaders of more than 20 international organisations.
The agenda of the 13th forum focuses on international security cooperation.
ℹ️ The Security Council of the Russian Federation has been holding the annual international meetings of high representatives in charge of security issues since 2010. It is an important international platform for exchange of views on all global security-related issues and mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between partner countries to combat international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, as well as new challenges and threats.
Media accreditation is open until May 20, 2025
#Announcement
🗓 On May 27-29, 2025, in Moscow, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu will chair the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues.
Invitations to participate in this forum have been extended to more than 150 states of the Global South and East, the #CIS, #CSTO, #EAEU, and #SCO countries, as well as to the leaders of more than 20 international organisations.
The agenda of the 13th forum focuses on international security cooperation.
ℹ️ The Security Council of the Russian Federation has been holding the annual international meetings of high representatives in charge of security issues since 2010. It is an important international platform for exchange of views on all global security-related issues and mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between partner countries to combat international terrorism, extremism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, as well as new challenges and threats.
Media accreditation is open until May 20, 2025