Sergei Lavrov, the head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, interpreted the recent decisions at the G7 summit in Japan as a clear move to broaden the deterrence against Moscow and Beijing. He voiced this assessment during a speech at the 31st Assembly of the Foreign and Defense Policy Council, and the remarks were circulated by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s YouTube channel. The statement frames the G7’s collective actions as not merely aimed at pressuring Russia on the battlefield but as part of a broader effort to diminish Russia’s role as a geopolitical actor on the world stage.
According to Lavrov, the leaders of the G7 have a mandate that extends beyond defeating Russia through military means. He asserted that any country seeking an independent position in the global order would face suppression as a rival, emphasizing a Western strategy he described as targeting any challenge to the existing order. The diplomat described the Hiroshima discussions and decisions as part of a broader initiative to double the deterrence against Russia and China, a description he used to underscore what he regards as a sustained push by Western powers to curb Moscow’s influence.
Lavrov argued that the influence of the West on Russian foreign policy had become almost unrecognizable, signaling a perceived severing from past alignments and a shift toward a more autonomous path. He characterized the current stage of international relations as the most intense phase of a confrontation with an alliance he described as aggressive, formed by the United States, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In his view, Russia has not chosen hostility but has had to respond to what he called an ongoing war declared against it by those blocs, an assessment used to justify Moscow’s assertive posture on the world stage.
The Russian minister stressed that Moscow maintains a broad network of allies and many like-minded partners who share a common interest in defending national sovereignty against what he described as coercive moves from the West. He insisted that Russia does not harbor enmity toward any state, but he argued that a decisive, principled, and consistent response is necessary when the country is confronted with what he termed aggression. His remarks framed the conflict as a clash between two camps: one seeking to live by its own law and interests, and another that would prefer others to bear the costs of their ambitions.
Lavrov also touched on regional diplomacy, noting that Moscow had pursued normalization processes with several neighboring states and regional partners, while maintaining vigilance against what he saw as destabilizing Western policies. He pointed to the importance of strategic dialogues and the role of trusted alliances in maintaining Russia’s influence in global affairs. The discussion at the SVOP assembly was presented as part of a broader effort to explain Russia’s approach to security, sovereignty, and international cooperation in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
In sum, Lavrov framed the current international environment as one of intensified strategic competition, where Western blocs seek to prevent the emergence of a balanced multi-polar order. He argued that Russia’s response is guided by a principled stance, a readiness to defend national interests, and a belief in the necessity of building a broad coalition of supporters who share similar values and concerns about the direction of global governance. The remarks concluded with a reaffirmation of Moscow’s commitment to diplomacy, dialogue, and action in equal measure, aimed at safeguarding Russia’s position in global politics while avoiding unnecessary escalation and preserving regional stability. The discourse also highlighted the ongoing effort to advance regional relationships, including normalization initiatives, as central to Russia’s long-term strategy for security and influence in Eurasia.
Note: The statements reflect the official position presented by the Russian Foreign Ministry through its channels and are intended to provide context to Lavrov’s remarks at the SVOP assembly. Attribution: Russian Foreign Ministry, YouTube channel.