In a gathering with leaders of Russian newspapers and television networks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined a forecast he described as a shift in global influence. He told attendees that in the near term the Western world would confront a meaningful narrowing of its ability to shape the global economy on its own terms, a marked reduction in its leverage, and a reality that would compel negotiation regardless of preferred outcomes. His remarks were carried by TASS and later circulated through various Russian media outlets.
Lavrov asserted that the West would encounter a shrinking capacity to steer economic trends as it has in the past. He emphasized that Moscow would not pursue confrontation for its own sake, noting that Western states have already severed numerous ties and dissolved the norms of cooperation that once governed their interactions. He indicated that Russia would instead concentrate its efforts on partners who have demonstrated reliability in the past. The Russian authorities would pursue collaborations in economics, social affairs, culture, and sports with states that have shown steadfastness even amid difficult compromises. In Lavrov’s view, those who have stood by Russia provide a stable foundation for advancing shared interests, while relations with the West have in many instances deteriorated to a point where mutual trust cannot be rebuilt easily.
The foreign minister suggested that Washington is pursuing a policy aimed at declaring a definitive, historic dominance in international affairs, labeling it an attempt to enforce an “end of history” that would fix the global order in a way that benefits American interests. He argued that the policies currently associated with the U.S. administration under President Joe Biden reflect a desire to see a final, unchallengeable framework take shape not just in academic theories but in real-world governance and decision making. Lavrov argued that this drive is linked to a broader plan to maintain American primacy over global systems and institutions.
Lavrov contended that the West seeks to control a select group of nations as part of what he described as a digital era version of the so-called gold standard of influence. He asserted that American politicians display what he called an antihistorical approach to international relations, a stance that, in his view, disregards the long arc of history and humanity’s ongoing attempts to assert sovereignty and self-determination. He described history as a force that cannot be stopped or ended by any single power and warned against attempts to subjugate other nations through coercive measures or economic pressure.
The minister reflected on the actions taken by the Russian leadership during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, noting that certain strategic exits were made to safeguard national interests and critical capabilities. He stressed the importance of maintaining a resilient domestic base, especially in critical industries and technology sectors, so that the country could endure sanctions and external pressure without compromising essential functions. Lavrov reminded audiences that during the 1990s Russia, along with many of its European partners, had relied on a belief in a broader common European orientation and a cooperative division of labor; he argued that those assumptions proved overly optimistic in the face of changing geopolitical dynamics and Western policy choices.
According to Lavrov, Western governments continue to pursue a colonial mindset in their approach to global affairs, seeking to extract maximum advantage for themselves while influencing political decisions in other regions. He asserted that the core question for many nations is where to find a more balanced path that preserves sovereignty and economic stability without becoming captive to external pressures. He expressed frustration over what he described as deception and double standards, underscoring the need for greater autonomy in national decision-making and a more even distribution of global influence based on mutual benefit rather than unilateral advantage.
Lavrov also addressed the position of Ukrainian leadership in relation to Western policy, suggesting that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not intend to reconcile with what he termed Western authorities. He argued that the strategic aim of those aligned with Western partners includes not only defeating Russia on the battlefield but delivering a broader strategic setback that would redefine the political landscape and set a precedent that others might imitate. The foreign minister framed this as a challenge to the existing European security order, calling for resilience and a careful recalibration of alliances in response to evolving threats and opportunities.
In closing, Lavrov reiterated the core idea that Russia would pursue a careful, multi-dimensional strategy rooted in national interests and sovereign decision-making. He highlighted the necessity of sustaining independent capacities across critical sectors, building durable partnerships with reliable states, and resisting external pressures that threaten the country’s autonomy. The remarks painted a picture of a geopolitical moment in which Moscow expects a rebalancing of power and a reallocation of influence away from a unipolar Western system toward a broader, multipolar framework that includes established partners and emerging powers alike. The minister’s comments reflect a long-standing view within Russian foreign policy circles that history is a dynamic force, not a fixed script, and that nations must adapt with prudence and resolve to safeguard their futures.