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LIVE UPDATES: FM Lavrov Reviews 2023 Russian Diplomacy at Annual Presser

Sputnik International

On January 18, the traditional annual press conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2023 is held.

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LIVE UPDATES: FM Lavrov Reviews 2023 Russian Diplomacy at Annual Presser

08:06 GMT 18.01.2024 (Updated: 11:04 GMT 18.01.2024)

On January 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is holding an annual press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy in 2023.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to summarize the outcomes of Russian diplomacy over the past year and send signals on key issues of the country's foreign policy.

A significant number of questions at the press conference will no doubt concern the development of the situation around the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry has consistently conveyed to the international community Moscow's position that Kiev and its Western sponsors do not seek a peaceful solution, but are only leading Ukraine to destruction. On the eve of the event, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Lavrov also plans to attend a Russian-initiated UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine issue in New York between January 22 and 24.

The Middle East became another hotbed of tension in 2023 with the outbreak of active hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The danger of further escalation has been reaffirmed by recent developments around the Red Sea, with the bombing of Yemeni territory by US and UK forces, and Iranian attacks on facilities in Iraq and Pakistan.

The situation is also escalating in the Asia-Pacific region, especially near the Korean Peninsula, and instability in Africa remains on the agenda.

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10:40 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov Will Take Part in G20 Ministerial Meeting in Brazil, Visit Several Other States in Latin America in February

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he will take part in the G20 ministerial meeting in Brazil and will visit several other states in Latin America in February.

"I will be in Brazil again. A ministerial meeting of the G20 will be held there at the end of February. In connection with this trip, we plan to visit a number of other Latin American countries," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023.

10:17 GMT 18.01.2024

West Now Actively Using is Cells in Syria to Attack Local Military Personnel - Lavrov

The West currently uses the cells of the IS (banned in Russia) in Syria to attack local military personnel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We do not have double standards in relation to terrorists. The West has such. Now the West is actively using IS cells in Syria to carry out acts of sabotage and attacks on the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023.

09:48 GMT 18.01.2024

Taliban Control Situation in Afghanistan, Russia Maintains Regular Contacts With Them - Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he hopes that the escalation of tensions between Iran and Pakistan will not complicate the international efforts on settling the situation in Afghanistan.

"We have not lost touch with what is happening for a second and are now in contact with the de facto leadership [of Afghanistan]. This helps us to work, among other things, to promote external formats that allow us to develop recommendations for Afghans. This is the 'Moscow format,' there is a 'quartet' of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran," Lavrov told a press conference on the results of 2023, adding that Moscow hopes that the Pakistani-Iranian "exchange of pleasantries" will not complicate the work of this format now.

Taliban control the situation in Afghanistan, and Russia maintains regular contacts with them, the minister said.

"We have regular contacts with the Taliban, including on the issues that need to be resolved in order for them to become a fully recognized government," the minister said.

09:43 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov: No Logic in Pashinyan’s Remark on Transit Taking Into Account 2020 Agreements

Russia sees no reason in the recent statement by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about the transit to the exclave of Nakhichevan via Armenia, taking into account the agreements reached in 2020 on the unblocking of all routes, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"I did not see any logic [in what Pashinyan said] ... It is hardly appropriate to compare these routes," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023, adding that there is no alternative to resuming transport links between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan.

It is deplorable that such a practical and beneficial thing for Armenia as the opening of a route through the Syunik region still remains on paper, the minister said, adding that this is due to Yerevan's position.

Additionally, the minister said that Western countries began to interfere with the settlement process between Azerbaijan and Armenia as soon as they realized that it was yeilding results.

Earlier this month, Pashinyan said that Yerevan is ready to open the road to the exclave of Nakhichevan for Azerbaijan on the same terms as Iran.

09:33 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov Denies Reports on New Russia-Ukraine Talks in Geneva

Reports that Russia and Ukraine allegedly launched negotiations in Geneva are rumors, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"Rumors are just rumors," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023," adding that it is necessary to talk to the West about the end of the conflict and its conditions.

09:21 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov Calls Relations Between Russia, China More Reliable Than Military Alliance

Relations between Russia and China are more reliable than a military alliance in the previous understanding of the term, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"It was in a number of declarations adopted at the highest level that these relations are stronger, more reliable and more advanced than the military alliance in its previous understanding of the Cold War era. In fact, this reflects the real state of affairs — there is no such sphere of human activity where our relations with China would not experience a rapid rise," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023.

A number of events have already been scheduled and agreed upon for the current year, which will continue the opportunities for dialogue at the highest and highest levels in all directions, the minister added.

09:05 GMT 18.01.2024

US Wants to Resume Control Over Russian Nuclear Arsenal Under Guise of Reciprocity - Lavrov

Russia conveyed its assessments of strategic stability to Washington in December and warned that they had no alternative, Lavrov said.

The West is increasingly chattering about a potential clash between nuclear powers, as deterrents are gradually evaporating, Lavrov added.

08:49 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov on Possibility of US-Russia Strategic Dialogue Resumption: There is No Progress

Moscow currently sees no possibility for a strategic dialogue with Washington at the moment, the West must stop using anti-Russian rhetoric for the possibility to hold such talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We do not see any grounds not only for additional joint measures in the sphere of arms control and strategic risk reduction, but also in general for any conversation with the United States about strategic stability," Lavrov told a press conference on the results of 2023.

08:48 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov: Policy of Neocolonialism is Maintained By US and Its Allies

08:47 GMT 18.01.2024

There is No Hope That Russia Will Be Somehow Defeated - Lavrov

Kiev was forbidden from signing a settlement agreement with Russia "upon the orders of Johnson and other Anglo-Saxons", Sergey Lavrov said.

Russia will achieve the goals of the special military operation in Ukraine, Lavrov added.

"We will achieve the goals of the special military operation consistently, persistently, and we will achieve these goals," Lavrov said.

Western countries' actions to push Ukraine to fire long-range missiles at Crimea and deep into Russian territory suggest that they do not want any constructive solution, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"The use of long-range weapons to strike Crimea, in order to generally make it unsuitable for habitation, and deep into the territory of Russia ... the transfer of relevant weapons, this suggests that the West does not want any constructive solution that would take into account the legitimate concerns of Russia," Lavrov said at a press conference on the results of 2023.

Russia sees no signs that the US and NATO are ready for fair settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, as they continue escalation, the minister added.

Commenting on the political life in Ukraine, Lavrov said that Russia is not concerned about it, noting that the West wants to have more flexibility in Ukraine’s leadership.

08:45 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov: Russia Will Provide Proposals on Collective Settlement of Middle East Conflicts at UNSC Meeting Next Week

Russia will provide its proposals on a collective settlement of the Middle East conflicts at the UNSC meeting next week, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"We are ready to play an active role in ensuring a full-fledged settlement that will guarantee Israel's security," Lavrov concluded.

Russia hopes Israel will understand the necessity of creating a Palestinian state, as without it there will be no security for Israel, the minister told a press conference on the results of 2023.

08:41 GMT 18.01.2024

Direct Dialogue Needed to Resolve Issues Between Israel and Palestine - Lavrov

Russia is aware of "partially secret" contacts involving the US, Israel, Arab states, but they do not imply direct dialogue between Israel, Palestine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"We hear and know about partially secret contacts with the participation of the United States, Israel, and individual Arab states, but somehow all these contacts do not imply direct dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis ... It will not have any success," Lavrov told a press conference on the results of 2023.

Russia hopes that Israel will understand the necessity of creating Palestinian states, without which there will be no security for Israel, Lavrov added.

08:37 GMT 18.01.2024

US, UK Violated All Norms of International Law By Strikes on Yemen - Lavrov

The United States and the United Kingdom have violated all the norms of international law by launching their strikes on the territory of Yemen, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"Of course, the United States, together with the British, violated and simply trampled on all conceivable norms of international law, including the [UN] Security Council resolution, which only called for the protection of commercial shipping. Nobody authorized to bomb Yemen," Lavrov told a press conference.

Commenting on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement made earlier this week that the Middle East is interested in Washington's presence in the region and its leading role, Lavrov said that it is doubtful.

"Speaking in Davos, Blinken stated that all countries in the Middle East desire a US presence in the region. It is difficult for me to ascertain the extent of their desire. However, Iraq has been anticipating the departure of American troops for many years. The recent remarks from Baghdad regarding the Americans' reluctance to leave, despite being persuaded to do so for a considerable period, show that this is sad," the minister said.

08:33 GMT 18.01.2024

Moscow Not Concerned About Political Life in Ukraine, West Wants to Have More Flexibility in Ukraine's Leadership - Lavrov

There are no legally binding provisions in the agreement on the security cooperation between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"I heard what was in the document ... I did not see any binding provisions in the analysis of this document, unless one that considers Ukraine’s obligation to ensure the protection of the islands in case if someone attacks the UK," Lavrov told a press conference on the results of 2023.

Replying to a question from a Sputnik correspondent, Lavrov stated that Zelensky is increasingly ‘fighting off the hands’ of his Western advisors.

Lavrov also commented on the ongoing discussions surrounding the elections in Ukraine, likening it to a recurring drama that reflects Zelensky's push to cling to power for as long as possible.

Furthermore, Lavrov emphasized that the Western nations have come to understand their mistake in pursuing a blitzkrieg approach against Russia, as it ultimately proved to be a mere illusion.

The West, which is pushing Ukraine to use long-range missiles on Russian territory, is not interested in a peace settlement, Lavrov stressed.

08:27 GMT 18.01.2024

SCO, Like EAEU, is an Umbrella System That Creates Opportunities for Equitable Multipolar Cooperation - Lavrov

08:26 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov: UN General Assembly Successfully Passed Resolution Aimed at Preventing Glorification of Nazism

08:24 GMT 18.01.2024

About 30 Countries Interested in Rapprochement With BRICS, Association Has Very Bright Future - Lavrov

BRICS symbolizes the prosperity of a multipolar world and took a significant step forward with the decision to expand at the summit in South Africa. As this year's chairman, Russia will ensure that newcomers are given equal attention, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

About 30 countries are interested in rapprochement with BRICS, the association has a very big future, Russia, in turn, will pay attention to the new BRICS members to fit organically into the work of the structure, Lavrov added.

08:22 GMT 18.01.2024

Lavrov: Security Issues in Eurasia Must Be Resolved Without Countries Outside Region

"In addition to mutually beneficial economic projects, of course, it is important to ensure military and political security in Eurasia on this basis, regardless of other factors. We advocate that this task be solved by the countries of the continent without attempts by non-regional states to get involved in these processes, so to speak, with their own agenda," Lavrov told a press conference on the results of 2023.

08:19 GMT 18.01.2024

Russia-China Relations Experience Best Period in Centuries-Old History - Lavrov

Russia's goal in 2024 is to eliminate any form of reliance on the West, both in terms of its economy and supply chains, Sergey Lavrov added.

08:07 GMT 18.01.2024

WATCH LIVE: Sergey Lavrov Begins Annual Press Conference