The key facts
- Lavrov stated Russia's readiness to restore relations with honest partners
- The minister criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement about not restoring Nord Stream
- According to Lavrov, the West has forever lost the ability to unilaterally dictate the rules of world politics
Statement at a meeting with young diplomats
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the country is ready to restore relations with any states committed to honest cooperation. The statement was made at a meeting with university graduates who have entered the diplomatic service for the first time.
Reference to Putin's position and relations with the EU
The minister recalled that Vladimir Putin, soon after the start of the SVO, spoke about Moscow's openness to resuming international contacts. Lavrov also noted that before the deterioration of ties with the European Union, Russia had some of the most developed cooperation mechanisms among all the union's partners.
Criticism of Friedrich Merz's position
Lavrov cited the words of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Germany will 'never restore Nord Stream.' According to the minister, the refusal to restore it raised electricity prices in Germany by 3–4 times. 'We will not act like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz... We will not be such idiots,' Lavrov emphasized.
On negotiations and the transformation of the world order
According to Lavrov, Kyiv and Europe are clearly not ready for negotiations on Ukraine. Earlier, speaking before the same audience, he stated that the West has forever lost the ability to unilaterally dictate the rules of world politics. The Foreign Minister described a large-scale transformation affecting not only interstate relations but also the global economy and financial system: in his words, the former model of Western dominance is becoming a thing of the past.
