Quotes from Sergei Lavrov

Attempts to settle crises by unilateral sanctions outside the framework of U.N. Security Council decisions threaten international peace and stability. Such attempts are counterproductive and contradict the norms and principles of international law.

Regarding the visa-free regime, it has undoubtedly become a problem for the European Union, above all in terms of its capacity to reach agreements.

We have been getting out of the situation where we found ourselves in the early '90s, when the Soviet Union disappeared and the Russian Federation became what it is - you know, with no borders, with no budget, no money, and with huge problems starting with lack of food and so on and so forth.

Russia and the U.S. have unique experience in ensuring the safety and security of nuclear material.

I very much hope that the United States will finally... realise that they can no longer act as the prosecutor, the judge, and the executioner in every part of the world and that they need to cooperate to resolve issues.

The Russian Federation and the United States of America, the two biggest nuclear powers in the world, but apart from nuclear-wise, we have a lot in common. We have huge territories, natural resources, technologies, science, education, and of course human capital.

Shouldn't the General Assembly adopt a declaration on the inadmissibility of interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states and nonrecognition of coup d'etats as a method of the change of power?

The Americans have taken the course of confrontation and do not assess their own steps critically at all.

We are convinced that the only way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue is through negotiations.

We are categorically against any new military nuclear power, be it Iran, be it North Korea, be it anyone.

Washington has openly declared its right to unilateral use of force anywhere to uphold its own interests.

Russia probably knows the true cost of revolutions better than most other countries.

Russia and the U.S. must jointly manage expectations to ensure that attempts to 'reset' our relationship succeed.

Even the state TV channels are not monolithic in their pro-government line, and the views they express are quite pluralistic.

You cannot strengthen the law by violating the law.

We firmly oppose the use of violence in the course of current transformations in Arab States, especially against civilians. We are well aware of the fact that the transformation of a society is a complex and generally long process, which rarely goes smoothly.

Humanitarian issues must bring together all people who act in good faith trying to alleviate the suffering of people in dire need - especially women, children and the elderly.