Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow will not enter into international agreements unless they are based on pragmatism and a balance of interests.
Speaking to students and faculty at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on Monday, September 7, Lavrov said Russia’s current diplomatic engagements are guided primarily by practical considerations rather than sentiment.
“Whenever we reach an agreement with someone, it is based on pragmatism,” Lavrov said.
He added that Russia’s national character may sometimes bring emotions into its international relations, referring to the country’s tradition of literature and storytelling.
“Our national character favors fairy tales and fables, which teach us to be human, but we are pragmatic now,” he said.
Lavrov stressed that pragmatism alone was not enough, arguing that any agreement must also accommodate the interests of all sides.
“Without a balance of interests, we will not agree to any agreements,” he said.
His remarks come as Moscow continues to emphasize what it describes as an interest-based approach to international relations and greater cooperation with countries outside the Western bloc.
Lavrov said Russia remains open to cooperation with partners prepared to work on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and a balance of interests.
The Russian foreign minister also said Moscow’s experience has made it cautious about relying on assurances from Western countries, arguing that Russia has been “cheated many times” in its history.
Lavrov’s comments were made amid continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Ukraine conflict and broader tensions between Russia and Western countries.
On September 5, U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held more than three hours of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with discussions reportedly focused on the Ukraine conflict and possible political and diplomatic solutions, as well as economic cooperation.