Sergey Lavrov Teaches Diplomacy: A Must-Watch Interview

EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). This was a remarkable interview… Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister for the past 20 years, who has extensive experience in diplomacy and foreign affairs and is considered one of the best Foreign Ministers worldwide, demonstrated his expertise and communication skills… Lavrov expressed that Russia is open to negotiating a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. He acknowledged that while specific issues still need resolution, both the U.S. and Russia are making progress toward an agreement. However, he refrained from discussing specifics, citing diplomatic protocol and the importance of confidentiality in serious negotiations. Specifically:

• When questioned about Crimea, Lavrov was unequivocal, asserting that the territory, annexed by Russia in 2014, would remain Russian permanently. This firm stance suggests that Russia considers Crimea’s status non-negotiable.

• Military Operations in Ukraine Lavrov stated that Russia will continue targeting locations used by the Ukrainian military, including sites with foreign mercenaries and European military instructors. This follows a missile strike on a residential building in Kyiv that resulted in civilian casualties. Lavrov claimed the target was not entirely civilian, suggesting that the location had a military use.

• Regarding U.S. sanctions, Lavrov offered vague responses, expressing concerns over their unpredictability and suggesting that their removal is uncertain. He also emphasized the need for functional diplomatic channels between the U.S. and Russia to facilitate any potential peace negotiations.​

In an another  interview with Brazilian paper O Globo (in Portuguese) Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov again repeated the Russian demands for peace in Ukraine. It requires:

• An end of Ukraine’s ban on negotiations with Russia.
• for Ukraine to go back to the status of a neutral and non-aligned country by the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine in the 1990’s.
• an end of the policies of legally and physically destroying everything Russian: the language, media, culture, traditions, and Russian orthodoxy.
• The international recognition of Russia’s ownership of Crimea, the DPR, LPR, and the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.

Pat. Bartholomew, Elpidophoros, and Karloutsos should pay special attention to his statement regarding the destruction of Russian Orthodoxy…

YOU CAN WATCH THE CBS INTERVIEW BELOW