Stay updated with the latest news and articles about Lavrov.
Lavrov also called for adapting the UN to a multipolar world order but acknowledged the difficulties in achieving this due to Western dominance within the organization.
Russia is only interested in one thing - to prevent threats to our security from the Western direction, Lavrov declared, setting a tone of defensiveness and suspicion towards Europe and its allies.
In remarks delivered, Lavrov charged that Western powers continue to see this relationship as an opportunity to live at the expense of others and to derive unilateral benefits.
The public pronouncements belie simmering tensions within the global order as Russia endeavors to cultivate new strategic partnerships amid its deepening international isolation over the Kremlin's war of aggression in Ukraine.
The Russian foreign ministry announced Lavrov's visit to Guinea's capital Conakry, stating it was part of a wider tour of African countries though not specifying which other nations he plans to visit.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that attempts are already being made to strike Russian territory with American-made weapons, stating this more than eloquently demonstrates the degree of involvement of the U.S. in this conflict.
In comments made at a meeting on the Ukraine conflict with heads of foreign embassies, Lavrov said many historians and political scientists in the West have long held the view that NATO outlived its purpose after the end of the Cold War rivalry between the Soviet-led and U.S.-led blocs.
The American leaders thought they had missed an opportunity to put the Soviet Union in its place once and for all after it collapsed, Lavrov stated in an interview with Russian state media.
The blunt statement from Lavrov came days after the Kremlin said sending NATO troops into Ukraine would be "extremely dangerous" and risk direct confrontation between Russian and NATO militaries.
During Lavrov's tenure in 2004, he has been one of the most visible and vocal defenders of Russia's foreign policy positions through numerous international crises and conflicts.