Sergey Lavrov: “Attempts to undermine every conceivable existing provision governing international trade and international economic relations that has been approved under international law have become the West’s hallmark”

Photo: MFA

On October 15 in Baku, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), MFA informs.

The meeting agenda focused on CICA’s development prospects and its adaptation to the changing foreign political climate.

The Russian side emphasised the importance of CICA’s smooth integration into the cooperation architecture that is taking shape in Eurasia, in the interests of building a pancontinental contour of equal and indivisible security, and seamless trans-border socioeconomic connectivity.

Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s steady course for deepening practical cooperation within CICA, including in the areas that Russia curates: international information security, and support for small and medium-sized businesses. Other priorities include facilitating contacts between volunteer associations, and promoting mechanisms for practical cooperation in the industrial sector. Russia’s contribution to consolidating transport and logistics chains across CICA was noted.

Russia welcomed the extension of Azerbaijan’s CICA Chairmanship for 2027-2028 and supported the inclusion of Laos as a full-fledged CICA member.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to media questions following the 7th CICA Summit, Baku, October 15, 2026.

Question: The West has been routinely seizing ships and oil tankers lately, thus bringing piracy back to life. Did you discuss this issue today?

Sergey Lavrov: This is not the only manifestation of piracy, banditry, or outright plunder. Call it what you will. Attempts to undermine every conceivable existing provision governing international trade and international economic relations that has been approved under international law have become the West’s hallmark. In recent years, it has been trying by every means possible, fair or foul, though more often foul, to slow down the objective process of establishing a multipolar and just world order. The West is clinging in every way it can to its hegemony, which is slipping away irretrievably and irrevocably, and is violating, as I said before, everything that was agreed upon within the globalisation system, which the West itself strongly promoted.

Therefore, the manifestations you mentioned are widely known. However, they were not discussed today, because they are not within CICA’s purview. Nevertheless, the declaration which you will get a chance to read once it gets released makes it very clear that all CICA members support a multilateral and fair trading system, something that has been agreed upon repeatedly and enshrined in international legal instruments. They also support respect for the principles of the UN Charter and oppose any actions that undermine international economic cooperation, including illegal unilateral sanctions. This is a common position that also applies to maritime piracy.

Question: The diesel deal between Russia and the United States has stirred some panic, even hysteria, in Europe. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, in particular, has reacted to it by calling for even greater funding for Ukraine so that it can specifically target Russian oil refineries as part of the diesel deal. Can we say that Europe has thereby entered into open confrontation with the United States? And what consequences could this have for Europe?

Sergey Lavrov: Are you asking me about the statements made by Estonia’s Foreign Minister?

Question: I would like to know your opinion and what you have to say about this.

Sergey Lavrov: This is characteristic not only of the individual you mentioned. It is also the position of EU leading countries such as Germany. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would stay his current course, even though 80 percent of the population did not support it.

My German counterpart, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, had the following to say, “I met with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. I was criticised for avoiding contacts. I engaged with him, and nothing came of it, so we will continue to firmly support Ukraine.” I have commented on our conversation on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where he read out an official position from a prepared text. Germany has been broadcasting this position around the world through every microphone and other communication devices for years, condemning Russia for the “unprovoked aggression,” etc. If he is citing this meeting as an example of willingness to engage in dialogue, then the logic of the current German leadership has clearly begun to falter.

As for the diesel deal, it was brought to the table, and we supported it. But Vladimir Zelensky has said publicly on several occasions, “Stop bothering me about this diesel deal. Give me Patriot system missiles instead for I need to keep striking Russia’s energy sector, including its oil refineries.” This is a direct and, moreover, crudely worded challenge to US President Donald Trump, who has actively supported this deal and spoken publicly about it on several occasions. I think everyone understands this by now. They are also fully aware that such behaviour has become typical of Vladimir Zelensky, who believes that the whole world owes him, while he owes nothing to anyone. He is unwilling to take any constructive steps that would be genuinely fair and based on equality.

We operate on the premise that the objectives of the special military operation have been clearly defined which fact stands in contrast to the West’s position on Ukraine, which regularly makes 180 degree turns or, as former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock once put it, 360 degree turns. Our position has never changed.

Question: The Washington Post reported that the United States and Europe were preparing a four-point “peace plan” for Ukraine. The Kremlin has already commented on this report, noting that Moscow has no information about this plan.

Sergey Lavrov: Do you want me to contradict the Kremlin?

Question: No, but if this is a fake claim planted by the Western media, what is its purpose?

Sergey Lavrov: The Western press is essentially about leaks. Without a doubt, we are familiar with references to “sources,” such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other media outlets, because they are being widely circulated. However, we have received no official proposals.

But if we go by what has “leaked” into the press, there are four points, the last of which calls for an “immediate ceasefire along the line of contact.” At least in the leaks I have seen, there is not a single word about ways to move towards a long-term sustainable peace rather than a ceasefire that will, no doubt, be violated by Ukraine and its European handlers.

Since the Anchorage summit in August 2025, where a long-term approach formed the basis of the US proposals that we supported, Western initiatives and ideas have been constantly backtracking on the positions that only take us further away from sustainable peace and a negotiated settlement. Consequently, everything will be decided by our Armed Forces on the battlefield, as President Putin has repeatedly made clear, notwithstanding our continued readiness for normal, meaningful, and honest talks.

Question: If presidential elections do take place in Ukraine, is Russia prepared to make any concessions during possible peace talks?

Sergey Lavrov: Let us not speculate. Mr Zelensky has already made it quite clear that he is not interested in holding elections and surrounded the whole idea with conditions that are patently unacceptable. There will be no ceasefire that would make it possible for him to regain his senses and be once again supplied with more weapons.

Question: What’s your take on the current stage of Azerbaijan-Armenia normalisation efforts? What is Moscow’s position on the TRIPP project, which will connect the main parts of Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan through Armenian territory?

Sergey Lavrov: We welcomed the process of normalising Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. We have done so repeatedly, both through the President and through the Foreign Ministry. We welcomed the agreement reached in Washington. We are ready to participate in infrastructure projects. We have said so on numerous occasions.

Russian Railways holds a concession and operates through the South Caucasus Railway. We are familiar with this infrastructure, which we maintain and operate using our own technology. We have not yet received any inquiries concerning the participation in it of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project. However, all stakeholders are aware of our capabilities and our willingness to contribute.

In this connection, I would also like to mention another format initiated by Azerbaijan and Türkiye, namely, the 3+3 format that includes the three South Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia) and their three larger neighbours (Russia, Türkiye, and Iran). We have met several times, and we are now waiting for Armenia and Azerbaijan to agree on which country will host the next meeting of the foreign ministers from this group of countries. I believe the next meeting could be held in Azerbaijan, followed by another one in Yerevan. That would be the right approach.

Why am I mentioning this format? It is, in fact, comprehensive and is not devoted to any single project intended to be implemented outside the broader regional context. Therefore, let me reiterate that we strongly support the 3+3 format proposed by Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs