Sergei Lavrov Quotes

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About Sergei Lavrov

Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov (born April 21, 1950) is a prominent Russian politician serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2004. Born in Moscow, he grew up during the Cold War era, which undoubtedly shaped his worldview and future career. Lavrov studied law at Moscow State University, graduating in 1972. His early career was spent within the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, serving as a member of its Central Committee. However, it was his work as an adviser to Mikhail Gorbachev during perestroika that truly propelled him onto the political stage. In 1990, Lavrov became the youngest-ever Ambassador of the Soviet Union to the United Nations, a position he held until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Following this, he served as Foreign Minister under President Boris Yeltsin from 1994 to 1999. Post-Yeltsin, Lavrov joined the administration of Vladimir Putin. He has been a key figure in Russia's foreign policy ever since, playing instrumental roles in various international negotiations and conflicts. Some of his most notable works include the negotiation of the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms with the United States in 2002, and efforts to resolve the Syrian Civil War. Lavrov is known for his assertive diplomatic style and commitment to Russian interests. His quotes reflect this approach, such as: "Diplomacy without principles is like a ship without a rudder," and "Our Western partners often try to impose their rules on us, rules that we don't need." These words encapsulate Lavrov's belief in the importance of national sovereignty and self-determination.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"International law cannot be rewritten under pressure."

The quote by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, "International law cannot be rewritten under pressure," underscores the importance of respecting established norms and principles in global affairs. In essence, Lavrov is arguing that nations should not manipulate or disregard international law to suit their immediate interests or exert influence. The rule of law, he suggests, must be upheld regardless of political pressure, power dynamics, or geopolitical conflicts. This statement highlights the need for fairness, justice, and adherence to universal principles in the global community.


"We do not need any ultimatums, we need a political solution."

The quote suggests that rather than relying on aggressive or demanding actions (ultimatums), it is more beneficial to seek a diplomatic and peaceful resolution (political solution) in addressing disputes or conflicts. This statement implies that through negotiation, compromise, and mutual understanding, problems can be resolved effectively without resorting to force or threats.


"The world needs more trust, less unilateral actions."

This quote underscores the importance of mutual trust in international relations over unilateral actions. It suggests that a more peaceful and stable world can be achieved when nations rely on collaboration and trust rather than independent actions that may not consider the interests or perspectives of others. The implication is that unilateral actions, particularly those that disregard international law or agreements, can lead to mistrust, conflict, and instability among nations. Building a world based on mutual trust requires open dialogue, respect for each other's sovereignty, and the pursuit of common goals through cooperative efforts.


"It's always better to talk than to fight."

This quote emphasizes the importance of dialogue and negotiation over conflict and violence in resolving disputes or addressing differences between parties. Lavrov suggests that communication is a more effective means for finding mutually acceptable solutions, as it allows for a better understanding of perspectives and fosters cooperation rather than hostility.


"Everyone should remember that the use of force against sovereign states is a violation of international law and the UN Charter."

This quote by Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, emphasizes the importance of adhering to international law and the United Nations Charter in dealing with sovereign nations. It suggests that the use or threat of force against any nation, regardless of its size or power, is considered an unacceptable breach of international order and should be avoided. The principle underlines respect for national sovereignty and upholds the belief that diplomacy and peaceful dialogue are the primary means to resolve disputes among nations.


Attempts to settle crises by unilateral sanctions outside the framework of U.N. Security Council decisions threaten international peace and stability. Such attempts are counterproductive and contradict the norms and principles of international law.

- Sergei Lavrov

Settle, Counterproductive, Contradict

The struggle against terrorists in the territory of Syria should be structured in cooperation with the Syrian government, which clearly stated its readiness to join it.

- Sergei Lavrov

Against, Readiness, Which, Syrian

We provide transit facilities, we cooperate in equipping the Afghan army and security forces with arms and helicopters, we cooperate in training officers for law enforcement agencies.

- Sergei Lavrov

Law, Afghan, Security Forces, Transit

If you think that a coup to overthrow the elected government is a coup everywhere, then you should remember how elections in Ukraine took place in 2004, how elections in Georgia took place in 2003, when the elections results have been torn and thrown away by revolutionary action.

- Sergei Lavrov

Away, Been, Torn, Coup

When the Georgian army started this assault against the sleeping city of Tskhinvali, the Georgian peacekeepers, serving in one contingent with their Russian friends, joined the army and started killing the Russian comrades in arms.

- Sergei Lavrov

City, Assault, Russian, Contingent

We can say that Japan is the only country that calls into question the outcome of the Second World War; no one else does.

- Sergei Lavrov

Question, Country, Japan, Only Country

When Colonel Gadhafi started using his air force against civilians on the ground, we did not hesitate. Then we supported the resolution of the Security Council, which introduced arms embargo for Libya.

- Sergei Lavrov

Against, Resolution, Air, Air Force

We have become stronger economically; we have been successfully resolving the social problems, raising the level of living - the standards of living - of the population.

- Sergei Lavrov

Been, Raising, Successfully, Resolving

The Russian Federation and the United States of America, the two biggest nuclear powers in the world, but apart from nuclear-wise, we have a lot in common. We have huge territories, natural resources, technologies, science, education, and of course human capital.

- Sergei Lavrov

Education, United, Capital, Territories

On September 11, 2001, Russia's then-president, Vladimir Putin, called U.S. President George W. Bush - making Putin the first international leader to speak with Bush after the attacks.

- Sergei Lavrov

Leader, Making, Bush, None

Hours before the Georgian invasion, Russia had been working to secure a United Nations Security Council statement calling for a renunciation of force by both Georgia and South Ossetians. The statement that could have averted bloodshed was blocked by western countries.

- Sergei Lavrov

Been, United Nations, Before, Western Countries

We believe Russian-American relations are broader and larger than emotions and mutual grudges, including the situation with the U.S. fugitive Edward Snowden.

- Sergei Lavrov

Emotions, Larger, Including, Fugitive

The Americans have taken the course of confrontation and do not assess their own steps critically at all.

- Sergei Lavrov

Own, Taken, Assess, Critically

The attempts to distort the truth and to hide the facts behind blanket accusations have been undertaken at all stages of the Ukrainian crisis.

- Sergei Lavrov

Behind, Been, Ukrainian, Stages

We firmly oppose the use of violence in the course of current transformations in Arab States, especially against civilians. We are well aware of the fact that the transformation of a society is a complex and generally long process, which rarely goes smoothly.

- Sergei Lavrov

Fact, Use, Firmly, Smoothly

Syria is a multi-confessional state: in addition to Sunni and Shia Muslims, there are Alawites, Orthodox and other Christian confessions, Druzes, and Kurds.

- Sergei Lavrov

Other, Syria, Confessions, Sunni

The E.U.'s Eastern Partnership programme is designed to bind the so-called focus states tightly to itself, shutting down the possibility of co-operation with Russia.

- Sergei Lavrov

Focus, Partnership, Eastern, Tightly

Saddam Hussein was the one person after whom the United States went, and they ruined the country.

- Sergei Lavrov

Country, United States, Ruined

When you buy a company at an auction, and you are committing yourself to pay some $300 million to the state because it was a privatization deal, and you don't pay it, is it OK? Isn't it something that deserves court procedures?

- Sergei Lavrov

Some, Deal, Committing, Procedures

We have been protecting the lives of the Russian peacekeepers who had been attacked by their Georgian comrades, because there was a joint peacekeeping force.

- Sergei Lavrov

Been, Protecting, Joint, Comrades

Russia would prefer to rebuild trust rather than allow it to further corrode. That's why, in July 2007, President Putin, in the spirit of strategic openness, proposed a truly collective effort at missile defense for Europe.

- Sergei Lavrov

Trust, Allow, Prefer, Proposed

I can only say that I have good personal relations with all secretaries of state with whom I have a chance to work.

- Sergei Lavrov

Work, Chance, Say, Relations

I don't believe in ideology in international relations.

- Sergei Lavrov

Believe, Ideology, Relations

Sanctions are a sign of irritation; they are not the instrument of serious policies.

- Sergei Lavrov

Serious, Policies, Sign, Sanctions

We have no desire to continue a sanctions war, trading blows.

- Sergei Lavrov

Desire, Continue, Trading, Sanctions

I don't want to say that sanctions are ridiculous and that we couldn't care less; these are not pleasant things... We find little joy in that, but there are no painful sensations. We have lived through tougher times.

- Sergei Lavrov

Want, Through, Pleasant, Sanctions

I started, you know, to work as a diplomat during the Soviet days, and in spite of ideology being very high on the Communist Party agenda, I can assure you that in practical terms, we have always been trying to be pragmatic.

- Sergei Lavrov

Communist, Been, Very, Diplomat

Humanitarian issues must bring together all people who act in good faith trying to alleviate the suffering of people in dire need - especially women, children and the elderly.

- Sergei Lavrov

Suffering, Elderly, Need, Dire

I wouldn't even go into the history of the last days of the Soviet Union, the withdrawal from Europe, and what promises were given at that time, because those were oral promises, and our leaders of that time strongly believe that, like in ancient Russia, a word given is better than any treaty.

- Sergei Lavrov

Soviet Union, Leaders, Promises

Russia and the U.S. must jointly manage expectations to ensure that attempts to 'reset' our relationship succeed.

- Sergei Lavrov

Succeed, Russia, Ensure, Manage

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