Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, a development confirmed by TASS. The visit underscores Moscow’s continued engagement with regional partners amid a busy diplomatic calendar.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced that Lavrov would meet with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the forum’s sidelines. The two ministers are expected to review a range of topics that shape their bilateral relationship and regional security concerns.
Lavrov’s itinerary in Turkey spans March 1 and 2, with discussions anticipated to cover Ukraine, Syria, and areas of economic cooperation, including trade and energy ties. The conversations are seen as part of broader efforts to manage conflicts and sustain cooperation across the region, even as international dynamics evolve.
Earlier remarks from Lavrov indicated Russia’s plans to host a Russia-Africa foreign ministers meeting in Sochi during the autumn. He noted that Mali’s view of Moscow’s assessment regarding Ukraine was aligned with Russia’s stance, signaling a potential strengthening of ties with African partners amid shifting geopolitical alignments.
There was also a notable moment at a ministerial gathering in Brazil, where Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken were in the same room during discussions ahead of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Lavrov greeted the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Bolivia but did not engage with Blinken during the exchange, illustrating the nuanced diplomatic dynamics at play on the eve of the summit.
In related remarks, Lavrov clarified the implications of Zelensky’s statements regarding plans to transfer a so‑called peace plan to Russia, emphasizing the interplay between public declarations and actual diplomatic steps as Moscow navigates international expectations and responses.