🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks to the media following the 23rd meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club (Moscow Region, September 29, 2026)

❓ Question: German FM Johann Wadephul himself said that he attended the meeting solely to avoid being, so to speak, “left out” of the negotiations and leaving the US with a monopoly on the process. So what is Germany seeking – genuine negotiations or some semblance of them? What could move our relations with Berlin forward at this stage?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: I commented on this in detail at my news conference in New York. It is difficult for me to judge what Germany is seeking.

I think one obvious explanation is simply a desire “not to miss the train” – the one They believe “has already picked up speed”. I do not know whether that is the case. If they mean the Ukrainian crisis, it is difficult for me to judge.

The Ukrainian crisis is intertwined with a vast number of problems across Europe: the militarisation of the EU, the repeated “mantras” that NATO will expand and admit the Ukrainian regime, that Russia is an eternal enemy, and that “we will be at war in three years”.

If these “mantras” are being repeated, and the aim, as Wadephul himself stated, is simply to repeat them behind closed doors, without the press, supposedly to make Russia understand that this is indeed how things stand, then this is a futile and, I would even say, harmful exercise.

It is deeply regrettable that such figures from the EU and NATO are effectively taking on the role of “spokesmen” for this European scheme.

❓ Question: A few days ago, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced further contacts with the US on removing irritants in bilateral relations. Could you tell us whether these contacts have taken place, which specific irritants are currently on the agenda and, in particular, whether there are realistic prospects for the return of diplomatic property?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: The contacts have not yet taken place.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I agreed that they would take place soon. Our experts need to agree on the specific dates and venue.

The discussions will focus on the functioning of our respective diplomatic missions – Russia’s in the US and America’s in Russia. There are many issues, including, of course, diplomatic property.

We have heard no encouraging comments on this issue from the Americans under the Donald Trump administration.

❓ Question: You said that reality would compel the US to think in terms of multilateralism. Yet, for now, we see key players in Eurasia and the Middle East – the US, Iran, Israel and the Gulf monarchies – stuck in a zero-sum mindset. Do you see any prospects at all for creating a new security system in these regions? Is Russia prepared to act as a guarantor of a balance of interests if everyone else continues to pursue an “all-or-nothing” approach?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: I said that reality would compel them.

But life is only just beginning. Be patient. President Putin and I have repeatedly set out all our proposals on how to build relations in the international arena. We stand for honest dialogue on an equal footing and for taking each other’s interests into account.

What we are seeing in US policy today is, of course, an effort to advance its own interests unilaterally.

However, the US has to engage with countries such as Russia and China. These contacts involve discussions of steps that would serve the interests of both sides. 👉 That is precisely what I meant when I said that “reality would compel them”.

❓ Question: Poland plans to manufacture Patriot missiles on its territory. At what point would European countries’ involvement in the Ukrainian conflict require Russia to respond with direct military action?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: We have our military doctrine that addresses this, which President Vladimir Putin has cited on numerous occasions. ☝️ I urge you to study the relevant sections of this fundamental document carefully.

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