Lavrov says Ukraine conflict will define Russia's global standing

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that the Ukraine conflict will have a lasting impact on Russia's international role, arguing that the result of the war will determine how Moscow is viewed on the global stage. Speaking in an interview with Russian state broadcaster VGTRK, Lavrov said the international community is closely following developments on the battlefield. "To offer the world something, we must first win. The world is watching very closely to see how this war ends," he said.

Moscow blames the West

Lavrov repeated Russia's long-standing claim that Western countries were responsible for triggering the conflict and accused them of changing their strategy over time. According to the Russian foreign minister, Western governments initially pursued Russia's "strategic defeat" before shifting their focus toward supporting Ukraine's long-range strikes inside Russian territory.

He further argued that calls for Russia's strategic defeat effectively amount to efforts aimed at weakening and fragmenting the country. Moscow, he said, remains determined to preserve its sovereignty and independence despite continued Western pressure.

Ceasefire conditions rejected

Addressing diplomatic efforts, Lavrov dismissed proposals for an immediate ceasefire ahead of comprehensive peace negotiations. He said Russia views such initiatives as attempts to give Ukraine time to rebuild its military capabilities while leaving what Moscow considers the underlying causes of the conflict unresolved.

Lavrov also claimed Russian forces continue to make battlefield advances while seeking to limit civilian casualties. At the same time, he accused Ukraine of carrying out drone attacks targeting civilians in Russian cities, describing those operations as "terrorist acts."

Focus on new global partnerships

Looking beyond the conflict, Lavrov said Russia intends to strengthen ties with emerging global powers, particularly China and India, while expanding cooperation through organizations including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

He also stressed the importance of achieving greater technological self-sufficiency and urged caution in future relations with Western countries. Summing up Moscow's approach, Lavrov said: "'Trust' can come later. First, verify."