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Sergey Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov
The latest news and updates on Sergey Lavrov, a seasoned diplomat, he has served as Russia’s Foreign Minister since 2004, making him the longest-serving in this role since Andrei Gromyko. His extensive career began as a Soviet diplomat in Sri Lanka, followed by significant posts at the UN, including Permanent Representative for Russia from 1994 to 2004. Known for assertively defending Russia’s foreign policy interests, his responsibilities encompass shaping international relations and engaging with global bodies.
Deputy head of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev’s chilling death threat to Zelensky sparks alarm amid escalating Ukraine-Russia tensions. Photo: Sputnik/AP
Russia

Russia’s Medvedev warns ‘Grim Reaper’ stalks Ukraine’s Zelensky in vile threat

Reacting to Zelensky’s Christmas speech, the former Russian president warns of imminent death and says his corpse belongs in a curiosity shop.

Ukraine war

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin residence, but Zelensky denies it

Ukraine war

Putin vows victory in Ukraine as US and Russia prepare for Miami talks

Ukraine war

Proposals on territorial concessions by Ukraine sent to Trump: Merz

The German chancellor emphasised Ukrainian consent in peace talks amid diplomatic tensions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press briefing in Berlin, Germany on Thursday. Photo: AFP
North Korea

North Korea promotes new beach resort to Chinese tourists in 2026 plan

The Wonsan beach resort and the Pyongyang Marathon highlight plans for Chinese visitors in a post-pandemic tourism push.

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China-Russia relations

China, Russia united against ‘Japanese militarism’ as Wang Yi, Shoigu meet

Chinese readout highlights resolve to counter ‘any attempts to revive fascism’ while Kremlin security chief warns of ‘hydra of militarism’.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky ready to advance US-backed Ukraine plan as Trump softens on deadline

US president backs away from his initial November 27 peace plan deadline as he dispatches aides to see Putin and the Ukrainians.

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US President Donald Trump said he will hopefully meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin when a deal is in the ‘final stages’. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Trump says Ukraine talks with Putin off for now, doesn’t want ‘wasted meeting’

Decision follows a call between top US and Russian diplomats that reaffirmed Moscow’s opposition to an immediate Ukraine ceasefire.

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Ukraine war

Rubio and Lavrov discuss next Putin-Trump summit, Zelensky seeks invite

US and Russia make plans for Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to meet in Budapest following talks in Alaska in August.

India

Putin visit to test India’s diplomatic balancing act amid US trade tensions

The visit could deepen India’s defiance of Western demands as it boosts ties with Russia, but also complicate Delhi’s strategic ambitions.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak during a meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Ukraine war

Russia pummels Ukraine with ‘massive’ missile and drone strikes

The attacks, which came after Ukraine received a Patriot air defence system from Israel, killed at least four people in Kyiv.

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Ukrainian law enforcement officers work at the site of an air attack in the Kyiv region on Sunday. Photo: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AFP
Russia

Russia tells West any aggression will be met with ‘decisive response’

Foreign Minister Lavrov warned against attempts to shoot down aircraft in Russian airspace and accused Germany of militaristic rhetoric.

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Ukraine war

US, Russia spar over Ukraine war amid calls for ‘killing to stop’

‘If the Russians refuse to negotiate in good faith, I think it’s going to be very, very bad for their country,’ Vance warns.

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Ukraine war

Russia rejects Zelensky meeting as diplomatic tension simmers

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov questioned the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine’s leader, dimming hopes for a peace deal.

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Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “no meeting” between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky was planned. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russia says it must be part of Ukraine talks as Nato military chiefs meet

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that ‘discussing security guarantees without the Russian Federation is … a road to nowhere’.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

Switzerland offers Putin ‘immunity’ for Ukraine peace summit

As an ICC member, Switzerland would be required to arrest Putin due to his warrant, but would allow him to enter the country for peace talks.

Ukraine war

Trump-Putin summit: was it a win for Russia or the US?

Observers see symbolic win for Moscow, say Beijing will be wary of its impact on the US-China-Russia power triangle.

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United States

No deal, no answers: Trump-Putin meet ends with ‘progress made’

Trump says many points remain unresolved and the two leaders will probably meet again.

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US President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint press conference after their talks at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Can Russia, India and China work together to stabilise Asia?

New realism in relations between the three countries could be key to ensuring Asian stability in a more multipolar world.

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India

Why China-Russia ‘troika’ talks are back on India’s table

New Delhi’s cautious openness to reviving the long-dormant Russia-India-China dialogue signals a careful hedging of its geopolitical bets.

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China digital currency

Yuan stablecoin, China-EU summit and more

This week: Shanghai eyes stablecoins, China’s economy on track, trade war cools, Nvidia chips return. Next week: Chinese and EU leaders hold summit, US lawmakers probe Chinese scholarships and more.

Image: Shutterstock
North Korea

Mystery shrouds North Korea’s sudden ban on foreigners at Kim’s pet resort

The decision raises questions over the readiness of the Wonsan-Kalma project that features luxury hotels and an outdoor water park.

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North Koreans visit the beach at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area in Kangwon province on July 1. Photo: AFP
SCO

‘Stick to the right path’: China’s Wang Yi urges SCO to back ‘multipolar world’

Wang hits out at ‘hegemonism’ and ‘protectionism’ at meeting of the Eurasian security bloc and urges it to ‘stick to the right path’.

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SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘energy ring’; Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’: SCMP daily highlights

From China generating power from ‘sea of death’ to how US president’s tariffs may pay for his bill, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Brics

Macroscope | Why Brics is still a long way from providing an alternative world order

If Brics nations want to present a viable alternative to the US-led world order, they must do more than eschew confrontation with the West.

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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives for the group photo at the 17th Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7. Photo: dpa
Korean peninsula

South Korea, US and Japan stage air drill as Russia’s Lavrov heads to North Korea

The three countries’ top military chiefs also held an annual meeting in Seoul on Friday.

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The three joint chiefs of staff - the United States’ Dan Caine, South Korea’s Kim Myung-soo and Japan’s Yoshida Yoshihide. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean

Malaysia warns bilateral talks only avenue for Asean to negotiate US tariffs

All but two Asean states were served with tariff letters from Trump earlier this week, with Vietnam the bloc’s only member to secure a trade deal.

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United States

Rubio, Lavrov discuss ‘new idea’ on Ukraine at Asean meet in Malaysia

The US Secretary of State met the Russian Foreign minister in Malaysia and expressed disappointment about Ukraine, while Lavrov offered a new idea for peace.

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