Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the second annual Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security on October 31 and November 1, where he will present Russia's assessments of the current security landscape. During his address at the conference's plenary session, Lavrov will discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to develop an inclusive and indivisible security framework in Eurasia, as confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry highlighted that the conference will gather political and expert representatives from around 30 countries, including CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh, and representatives from the CSTO, SCO, and other Eurasian and OSCE nations. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who attended the conference in 2023, has also been invited.
According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, the forum’s purpose is to create “an open, inclusive dialogue on the prospects for Eurasian security amid the crisis in the current world order and deep-seated geopolitical conflicts between major players.” Conference topics include shifts in the global security paradigm, emerging military dynamics, and strategies to bolster trust and safety in Eurasia.
Indivisible Security
President Putin previously emphasized the need to move beyond the Euro-Atlantic security framework, which he argued has become ineffective. According to Putin, it’s crucial to establish an inclusive Eurasian security model that ensures “equal and indivisible security, beneficial cooperation, and balanced development.” He envisions this security framework as open to all regional countries, including NATO members, and encompassing economic, social, and environmental components, such as addressing poverty and climate issues. The concept of a Greater Eurasian Partnership could provide a foundation for this new security framework.
Regional Issues
The conference will likely touch on ongoing regional conflicts, particularly the situation in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East. Russia has repeatedly underscored that a resolution in Ukraine must respect its security concerns, which include Ukraine’s renunciation of NATO aspirations, withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Russian territories, and protection of Russian-speaking Ukrainians' rights. Moscow also supports finding peaceful resolutions but insists that any agreement must reflect “on-the-ground realities.”
Regarding the Middle East, Russia has been actively engaging with all parties to prevent a broader conflict in the region. Putin has emphasized that Russia is committed to promoting stability and considers resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict essential for lasting peace. Moscow continues to advocate for the creation of a Palestinian state as outlined in UN resolutions.
The first Eurasian Security conference, titled “Eurasian Security: Realities and Prospects in a Changing World,” was held in Minsk on October 26-27, 2023. Representatives from approximately 30 countries, along with CIS, SCO, and CSTO members, attended to discuss strategies to address current global and regional security challenges.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials