Lavrov to Summarize Russia's Foreign Policy Year at Major Press Conference

14 January

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold his annual press conference to review the achievements of Russian diplomacy in 2024 and outline the key directions for foreign policy in 2025.

 

The event will feature a wide range of questions from both Russian and international journalists. Traditionally, there is no set time limit, with Lavrov answering questions for nearly three hours in 2023 and 2024. Official Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova will moderate, and any unanswered questions will later receive written responses from the ministry.

 

The 2025 lineup of journalists has not been announced, but typically, leading Russian media and foreign correspondents accredited in Russia are present. In 2024, approximately 360 journalists from 140 media outlets participated.

 

Key Topics

 

Lavrov is expected to offer his insights on global changes, focusing on ongoing conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Other likely topics include the situation in Syria, Transnistria and Georgia. Questions may also cover Russia’s relations with partners in organizations like CSTO, BRICS and SCO.

 

Reporters are likely to ask Lavrov about future interactions with the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20. Lavrov previously stated in a TASS interview that Russia is open to resuming dialogue with the US, but the first move must come from Washington. "Since the Americans broke it off, they should take the first step," Lavrov noted. A key question will likely involve prospects for resolving the Ukrainian conflict given Trump’s potential stance.

 

Lavrov is also expected to address Russia’s expanding ties with Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and plans to deepen BRICS cooperation, where Moscow held the presidency in 2024. He may highlight the strategic partnerships with China, India, North Korea, Iran, and other allied nations. Additionally, Lavrov is likely to share Moscow's perspective on global energy challenges, the oil and gas markets, and economic integration prospects under current geopolitical conditions.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry

Based on TASS materials