Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said in detailed talks on the global situation, Europe, NATO, the Ukraine war and crises in the Middle East that European leadership is acting in line with external policies.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Lavrov said the Ukraine conflict did not begin suddenly but is the outcome of years of policy decisions, with NATO expansion identified as a central cause. Russia, he said, has repeatedly offered Western countries alternative security arrangements, but these proposals have been ignored.
He criticised the Western rules-based international order, saying it does not operate on uniform principles but is adjusted according to circumstances. At times the right to self-determination is upheld, and at other times territorial integrity is prioritised, weakening the credibility of international law.
Lavrov alleged that Ukraine is being used against Russia, and said European leadership is acting according to external policies rather than in the interests of its own public.
On the Middle East, he said attempts to control energy resources and strategic routes are increasing tensions. He referred to Venezuela and other regions, saying global powers are seeking greater influence over resources.
He spoke of an emerging multipolar world order, saying the world is entering a new era in which power will no longer be centred in one or two states. He said BRICS and other regional alliances are signs of this shift.
On Russia-China relations, he said ties are balanced, stable and based on trust, and are stronger in nature than traditional military alliances. He added that change in the global system will be a long and complex process, with international politics likely to become more unstable and competitive in the coming years.
The address comes at a time when the Ukraine war, NATO policies and the global energy crisis have already placed strain on international politics.
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