A biography for Sergei Lavrovhasn’t been written yet.
“Do not form your judgment about our military doctrine from the assessments given by NATO representatives.”
“We can only talk to those who opt for the sovereign, territorially integral, secular, multiethnic and multi-confessional Syria.”
“Historical experience shows that a crisis causes either a recovery or catastrophic consequences.”
“We are certain that Ukraine needs profound constitutional reform. In all fairness, we can't see any other way to ensure the stable development of Ukraine but to sign a federal agreement.”
“When Colonel Gadhafi started using his air force against civilians on the ground, we did not hesitate. Then we supported the resolution of the Security Council, which introduced arms embargo for Libya.”
“We have absolutely no intention of, or interest in, crossing Ukraine's borders.”
“I can only say that I have good personal relations with all secretaries of state with whom I have a chance to work.”
“Attempts to put pressure on Russia and to compel it to abandon its values, truth and justice have no prospects whatsoever.”
“The E.U.'s Eastern Partnership programme is designed to bind the so-called focus states tightly to itself, shutting down the possibility of co-operation with Russia.”
“I don't believe in ideology in international relations.”
“Frankly speaking, we don't see any other way for the steady development of the Ukrainian state apart from as a federation.”
“Russia has done more than any other country to support the independent Ukrainian state, including for many years subsidising its economy through low energy prices.”
“We believe that this is not right for a democracy to make revolutions the beacon of promoting democracy.”
“Russia is doing all it can to promote early stabilisation in Ukraine.”
“You either deny terrorists any acceptance in the international life, or you make your double standard policy work the way it has been working - 'I don't like that guy in this country, so we will be calling him a dictator and topple him. This guy in another country also dictatorial, but he's our dictator.'”
“If our interests - our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians - have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia, for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in accordance with international law.”
“I started, you know, to work as a diplomat during the Soviet days, and in spite of ideology being very high on the Communist Party agenda, I can assure you that in practical terms, we have always been trying to be pragmatic.”
“People versed in politics need not be told that the devil is in the detail, and tough solutions implying the use of force cannot produce a lasting long-term settlement.”
“There's no room for petty grievances in politics.”
“If you look at U.S. Congress, 80 percent of them have never left the U.S.A., so I'm not surprised about Russophobia in Congress.”