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MOSCOW, Jan. 20 Russia reaffirmed its commitment to seeking a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine crisis while also working to reduce global tensions, including situations involving Venezuela and Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an annual press conference on Russian diplomacy, Lavrov said Moscow remains dedicated to negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict, a stance he noted has been repeatedly emphasized by President Vladimir Putin. He reiterated that Russia has shown consistent goodwill toward finding a political solution, even as Western actions have, in his view, undermined past agreements.
Lavrov underscored Russia’s interest in easing tensions in regions beyond Eastern Europe, specifically mentioning Venezuela and Iran as areas where de-escalation efforts are necessary. He stressed that respect for Iran’s right to peacefully use nuclear energy could serve as an important step toward reducing regional friction.
The top Russian diplomat also criticized the current international environment, arguing that the principle of “might makes right” has overtaken rules-based cooperation and that crisis levels have risen amid what he described as weakening Western influence.
Lavrov’s remarks come amid ongoing global diplomatic activity, with Western and other international actors pursuing peace initiatives and negotiations related to Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions. Russia’s emphasis on diplomacy reflects a continuation of its publicly stated position that negotiated settlements, rather than military options, offer the most reliable path to long-term stability.