Speaking about global governance and the behavior of major powers, the Russian Foreign Minister outlined a view that the United States and its Western partners frequently place themselves above others, treating equality among states as a principle to be interpreted through their own standards. This perspective emerged in a discussion on the program focused on important topics in international affairs, broadcast as part of a series about Russia and the global landscape. The remarks reflect a critique directed at what Lavrov describes as a cultural and political dominance exercised by Western capitals in recent decades, particularly in the realm of diplomacy and security policy.
Lavrov stressed that the United Nations Charter anchors international relations in the sovereign equality of states. He argued that Washington and its allies often overlook this foundational clause, insisting that power and influence grant a right to set the agenda for the entire international system. From his point of view, the rhetoric of some American officials presents a worldview in which the United States alone is tasked with maintaining world order, a stance he characterizes as elitist and coercive. He contends that this approach seeks to export a preferred model of democracy and political organization while diminishing the rich diversity of local cultures, histories, and social norms across different regions.
In his broader assessment of the transatlantic partnership, Lavrov described the working relationship between the European Union and the United States as shaped by a hegemon-vassal dynamic, where policy outcomes are often driven by a dominant power and implemented through its allies. He suggested that this pattern constrains independent national choices within member states and can limit the space for alternative political trajectories. The diplomat urged a more balanced approach to international cooperation that respects each country’s sovereignty, history, and societal preferences, advocating dialogue that recognizes regional differences rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all blueprint for global governance.