Sergey Lavrov at Primakov Readings, Moscow, 11 June 2019

Лавров открывает пятые «Примаковские чтения» в год 90-летия Евгения Максимовича, отмечая авторитет форума и комплекс памятных мероприятий, одобренных президентом, включая монумент Церетели у МИД.

Lavrov opens the fifth Primakov Readings on the eve of Yevgeny Primakov's 90th birthday, praising the forum as one of the most authoritative international expert platforms to emerge in five years. He notes a full programme of commemorative events approved by the President, MFA projects at home and abroad, thematic volumes, round tables, and a monument by Zurab Tsereteli to be installed opposite the Foreign Ministry. Everything connected with Primakov's name, he says, is destined for success given the intellectual legacy of the statesman and scholar.

Всё, что связано с именем Евгения Максимовича Примакова, можно сказать, обречено на успех.

Everything connected with Yevgeny Primakov's name is, one might say, destined for success.

За пять лет он стал одной из наиболее авторитетных представительных международных экспертных площадок.

In five years it has become one of the most authoritative and representative international expert platforms.

Принципы Примакова — самостоятельность, многовекторность, открытость — отражены в концепции внешней политики; он не был сторонником изоляционизма и выступал за широкое межгосударственное сотрудничество.

Lavrov recalls Primakov's foreign-policy principles — independence, multivector approach, openness and predictability — as tested by time and reflected in the latest Foreign Policy Concept approved by President Putin. Primakov, he stresses, was never an apologist for isolationism or confrontation; in scholarship, intelligence work, at the Foreign Ministry and in government he consistently advocated broad interstate cooperation to solve acute modern problems.

Примаков никогда не был апологетом изоляционизма или конфронтации.

Primakov was never an apologist for isolationism or confrontation.

Все эти принципы прошли проверку временем и отражены в утверждённой президентом Путиным очередной редакции концепции внешней политики Российской Федерации.

All these principles have stood the test of time and are reflected in the latest edition of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation approved by President Putin.

Разногласия между центрами силы не должны мешать совместной борьбе с терроризмом, наркотрафиком, организованной преступностью и распространением ОМП.

Drawing on Primakov's thesis, Lavrov argues that disagreements between major world centres can never be fully eliminated but must not block joint efforts against terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime and WMD proliferation. This philosophy of constructive joint work is especially needed today, when the international situation remains tense and threats have not diminished.

Разногласия, наверное, до конца устранить никогда не получится, но они не должны препятствовать сложению усилий и потенциалов для купирования общих для всех вызовов.

Disagreements can probably never be fully eliminated, but they must not prevent combining efforts and potentials to address common challenges for all.

Такая философия совместной созидательной работы особенно востребована сегодня.

Such a philosophy of joint constructive work is especially needed today.

Небольшая группа западных государств во главе с США не признаёт меняющиеся международные реалии и продолжает разрушительную политику односторонних преимуществ.

Citing President Putin's February 2019 address to the Federal Assembly, Lavrov contends that a small group of Western states led by the United States stubbornly refuses to recognise contemporary international realities and the pace at which the world is changing. They persist in a destructive and plainly mistaken policy aimed at securing unilateral geopolitical advantage and preserving the status of sole decision-making centre.

Похоже, наши партнёры не замечают, как и какими темпами меняется мир, куда он движется.

It seems our partners do not notice how, and at what pace, the world is changing and where it is heading.

Они продолжают свою разрушительную и явно ошибочную политику.

They continue their destructive and plainly mistaken policy.

США наносят удары по послевоенной архитектуре безопасности, подчиняют режимы контроля над вооружениями корыстным задачам и разжигают конфликты.

Lavrov lists how, with allied support, the United States continues to strike at the international security architecture shaped after the Second World War, seeks to subordinate arms-control regimes to selfish tasks, sows chaos and fans conflicts across regions. Examples, he says, are close at hand and need not be sought far afield.

Соединённые Штаты продолжают наносить мощные удары по сформированной по итогам Второй мировой войны архитектуре международной безопасности.

The United States continues to strike powerful blows at the international security architecture formed as a result of the Second World War.

Стремятся разрушить или подвергнуть под свои корыстные задачи режимы контроля над вооружениями.

They seek to destroy or subordinate arms-control regimes to their selfish tasks.

Выход из Договора о РСМД под надуманным предлогом — часть демонтажа верифицируемых режимов контроля.

Among concrete cases Lavrov cites Washington's withdrawal from the INF Treaty under a fabricated pretext as part of a broader pattern of dismantling verified arms-control instruments. The result, he warns, is intensifying tension and growing conflictuality across the international system.

Это выход Вашингтона под надуманным предлогом из Договора о ликвидации ракет средней и меньшей дальности.

This is Washington's withdrawal from the INF Treaty under a fabricated pretext.

Усиливается напряжённость, нарастает конфликтность.

Tension is intensifying, conflictuality is growing.

В одном ряду — выход из СВПД, эскалация в Персидском заливе, давление на Венесуэлу и поддержка неисполнения Минска киевскими властями.

Lavrov groups US exit from the JCPOA, escalation in the Persian Gulf and attempts to pressure Venezuela's legitimate government alongside Western support for Kyiv's refusal to implement the Minsk agreements — all as instances of a destructive policy line that undermines internationally agreed settlements and fans regional crises.

Выход из иранской ядерной сделки, нагнетание напряжённости в зоне Персидского залива, попытки связать законное правительство Венесуэлы.

Exit from the Iran nuclear deal, escalation in the Persian Gulf zone, attempts to pressure Venezuela's legitimate government.

Поддержка прежних киевских властей в их упорном нежелании выполнять взятые на себя международные обязательства в рамках минского комплекса мер.

Support for the previous Kyiv authorities in their stubborn refusal to fulfil international obligations under the Minsk package of measures.

Минский комплекс призван преодолеть последствия февральского переворота 2014 года через последовательные шаги Киева, Донецка и Луганска.

Lavrov presents the Minsk package as the agreed instrument to overcome the destructive consequences of the unconstitutional coup of February 2014. He argues Western capitals backed Kyiv's non-implementation, thereby prolonging the crisis that the agreements were designed to resolve through sequenced steps by Kyiv, Donetsk and Lugansk.

Минский комплекс мер, который призван преодолеть разрушительные последствия антиконституционного государственного переворота в феврале 2014 года.

The Minsk package of measures, designed to overcome the destructive consequences of the unconstitutional coup of February 2014.

Международное право подменяется «порядком на правилах» закрытых клубов, санкциями и экстерриториальным законодательством вразрез с ВТО.

Western colleagues, Lavrov charges, have encroached on key norms of international law and the UN's central coordinating role, replacing them with a self-described 'rules-based order' drafted in exclusive clubs. Decisions on matters from chemical weapons to cyber threats and journalism are presented as the view of the entire world community, alongside sanctions, trade wars and extraterritorial legislation contrary to WTO norms.

★ Rules-based order Настаивают некий, как они говорят, порядок, основанный на правилах, создают фактически закрытые структуры.

They impose a so-called rules-based order and create effectively closed structures.

Принимаемые в их рамках решения стремятся представить как мнение всего мирового сообщества.

Decisions taken within them are presented as the opinion of the entire world community.

Падает стратегическое доверие; для преодоления тенденций нужны ООН, «двадцатка» и отказ от идеологизированной политики сдерживания.

As a result, strategic trust is falling and scope for interstate cooperation is shrinking even in areas of acute necessity — a concern shared by politicians and experts alike. Lavrov insists negative trends are not irreversible: de-ideologising foreign policy, abandoning archaic containment methods and fully using universal mechanisms such as the UN and the G20 are the way forward.

Снижается уровень стратегического доверия, уменьшаются возможности для межгосударственного сотрудничества.

The level of strategic trust is declining, possibilities for interstate cooperation are shrinking.

Необходимо прекратить идеологизацию внешней политики и в полной мере задействовать потенциал таких универсальных механизмов глобального управления, как ООН, а также Группа двадцати.

It is necessary to end the ideologisation of foreign policy and make full use of universal global-governance mechanisms such as the UN and the G20.

Достижения по Сирии, СВПД и Корейскому полуострову подвергаются пересмотру после того, как итоги были зафиксированы в Совбезе ООН.

Lavrov recalls recent examples when coordinated action by major centres eased tensions: the Syria chemical demilitarisation deal, the JCPOA, and positive dynamics on the Korean peninsula. Now many of these achievements face severe tests and even attempts at revision — with rules being changed after the game has ended and outcomes unanimously fixed in the UN Security Council, putting treaty compliance by Western partners, above all the US, in question.

Многие из этих достижений подвергаются тяжёлым испытаниям и даже попыткам их пересмотра и отмены.

Many of these achievements are facing severe tests and even attempts at their revision and cancellation.

Правила меняются не по ходу игры, когда игра уже закончилась и устраивающий всех результат был единогласно зафиксирован в Совете Безопасности ООН.

The rules are being changed not in the course of the game, when the game has already ended and a result satisfactory to all was unanimously recorded in the UN Security Council.

Общая повестка: терроризм, Сирия, Ливия, Персидский залив, Ближний Восток, кибербезопасность и контроль над развитием ИИ.

Beyond crisis management, Lavrov sets out a shared agenda: defeating international terrorism including foreign fighters, consolidating positive dynamics in Syria, ending the Libyan impasse, Gulf dialogue involving all littoral states, a just Israeli-Palestinian settlement on the recognised international legal basis, and common approaches to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence so that the latter does not slip beyond human control.

Следует сообща закрепить позитивную динамику в Сирии, положить конец затянувшемуся ливийскому кризису, наладить диалог в интересах стабильности в зоне Персидского залива с участием всех прибрежных государств.

We should jointly consolidate positive dynamics in Syria, end the protracted Libyan crisis, and establish dialogue for stability in the Persian Gulf zone with the participation of all littoral states.

Стратегическая стабильность в фокусе; российские инициативы в силе, ожидаются конкретные шаги Вашингтона.

Strategic stability and arms control remain in sharpest focus. At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum President Putin warned of the consequences of losing all limits in the missile-nuclear sphere. Lavrov notes all Russian initiatives remain on the table and welcomes Washington's stated readiness to engage — while awaiting concrete follow-up actions.

На ПМЭФ президент Путин указал на последствия, к которым может привести полная утрата каких-либо ограничений в ракетно-ядерной сфере.

At SPIEF President Putin pointed to the consequences that the complete loss of any limits in the missile-nuclear sphere could lead to.

Все российские инициативы в этой области остаются в силе; мы отметили заявленную Вашингтоном готовность к взаимодействию и ожидаем конкретных действий.

All Russian initiatives in this area remain in force; we noted Washington's stated readiness to engage and await concrete actions.

Взаимозависимость делает одностороннюю игру бессмысленной; нужны решения «выигрыш-выигрыш».

Globalisation deepens interdependence among national economies and unprecedented mobility of labour, goods, capital and services. In such conditions, Lavrov argues, playing one-sided games to 'win' without self-harm is futile — the boomerang of interdependence cannot be dodged indefinitely. Far-sighted politicians have long sought win-win solutions rather than victors and vanquished.

В такой ситуации бессмысленно пытаться играть в одни ворота в расчёте победить партнёра без ущерба для себя.

In such a situation it is pointless to try to play one-sided games hoping to defeat a partner without harm to oneself.

От бумеранга взаимозависимости защититься трудно, в долгосрочном плане — невозможно.

It is hard to shield oneself from the boomerang of interdependence; in the long term it is impossible.

Сопряжение ЕАЭС и «Одного пояса — одного пути» ведёт к Большому евразийскому партнёрству.

Practical steps to harmonise integration projects are advancing through pairing the EAEU development agenda with China's Belt and Road initiative, with a view to forming a broad Big Eurasian Partnership — a wide contour of economic cooperation free of barriers, based on WTO norms and respecting diverse development models.

Поступательно продвигается работа по сопряжению подходов к развитию ЕАЭС и китайской концепции «Один пояс — один путь» с перспективой формирования Большого евразийского партнёрства.

Work is steadily advancing on pairing the EAEU and China's Belt and Road concept with a view to forming the Big Eurasian Partnership.

Широкий контур экономической кооперации, свободный от барьеров, опирающийся на нормы ВТО.

A broad contour of economic cooperation, free of barriers and based on WTO norms.

Сопряжение экономических потенциалов создаст архитектуру равной и неделимой безопасности в Евразии и Евроатлантике.

Lavrov invites all Asian and European states to join efforts to shape the common Eurasian continent. Pairing economic potentials, he argues, will not only raise citizens' welfare but help build a 21st-century foundation of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia and the Euro-Atlantic area — in full accordance with the OSCE Astana Declaration of December 2010.

Приглашаем все государства Азии и Европы подключиться к усилиям по обустройству нашего общего огромного евразийского материка.

We invite all states of Asia and Europe to join efforts to shape our vast common Eurasian continent.

★ Indivisible security Сопряжение экономических потенциалов поможет создать архитектуру равной и неделимой безопасности.

Pairing economic potentials will help create an architecture of equal and indivisible security.

Россия — самостоятельный центр мировой политики; дипломатия будет переводить соперничество в конструктивное взаимодействие, опираясь на наследие Примакова.

Unity through law remains the rational alternative to confrontation from which all lose, including its initiators. Quoting Primakov's *Meetings at Crossroads*, Lavrov presents adequate perception of Russia as key to mobilising capacities for humanity's tasks. Russia is an independent centre of world politics and guarantor of cooperation with all who show reciprocal readiness; Russian diplomacy will keep working to channel sterile rivalry into constructive interaction, aided by Primakov's fundamental works.

Наша страна — самостоятельный центр мировой политики, гарант сотрудничества со всеми, кто демонстрирует встречную готовность.

Our country is an independent centre of world politics, a guarantor of cooperation with all who demonstrate reciprocal readiness.

Единство на основе международного права остаётся разумной альтернативой конфронтации, от которой в проигрыше все, в том числе её инициаторы.

Unity on the basis of international law remains the rational alternative to confrontation, from which all lose, including its initiators.

Вопрос о речи Пенса в Вест-Пойнте; Лавров отмечает милитаристский характер подобных заявлений.

Asked about Vice-President Mike Pence's West Point address telling graduates they would fight Russia and China, Lavrov says he is unfamiliar with that specific speech though Pence's other statements — including recognising an 'interim president' in Venezuela — spoke loudly enough. In a circle of sensible people, he adds, there is no need to dwell on rhetoric that directly fuels militarist sentiment.

Связь с ядерной доктриной Пентагона и парадоксом призывов к диалогу при пониженном пороге применения ЯО.

Lavrov links the question to recent Pentagon reports, including the nuclear posture review, and a fresh call for dialogue with Russia, China and the DPRK to reduce risks of unprovoked nuclear use — coming from a military establishment whose latest doctrine substantially lowered the nuclear threshold.

Предложения по всему спектру стратегической стабильности; ключевое — совместное заявление, что ядерную войну нельзя выиграть.

Russia has repeatedly conveyed proposals through Putin–Trump meetings and Lavrov's talks with Pompeo and Bolton covering the full spectrum of strategic stability and offensive and defensive arms control. Politically crucial, Lavrov stresses, is a joint leadership statement that nuclear war cannot be won and therefore must never be fought — a position US and Soviet leaders affirmed twice, yet Washington has not yet responded to Russia's renewed proposal.

Прогресс возможен только через резолюцию 2202 и минские договорённости; ждут формирования команды Зеленского.

On Ukraine under the new leadership, Lavrov says Moscow awaits the formation of Zelensky's team after July parliamentary elections. Progress requires only one thing: implementing UNSCR 2202, which unanimously endorsed the Minsk agreements detailing sequenced actions by Kyiv, Donetsk and Lugansk. The Normandy format at summit level twice sought to unblock implementation stalled above all by Poroshenko's inability to honour his signature.

Связка санкций с Минском фактически поощряла неисполнение Киевом; советник Зеленского открыто связал Минск с санкциями.

Lavrov exposes what he calls the EU's peculiar support for Minsk: sanctions on Russia will be lifted once Russia implements the agreements — thereby signalling to Poroshenko for years that non-implementation would keep sanctions in place as he wished. A Zelensky adviser recently virtually admitted Minsk matters to some forces because it preserves anti-Russia sanctions, not because they intend to implement it.

Нормандский формат полезен, но ключ — контактная группа, без которой прогресса не будет.

Lavrov welcomes a proposed Normandy summit but insists the Contact Group is the key implementation mechanism — the only platform where Kyiv, Donetsk and Lugansk work jointly with Russia and the OSCE. The Normandy format cannot impose solutions the parties have not agreed; if the format is respected, what was agreed there must be fulfilled.

Формула Штайнмайера согласована, но Киев отказывается закрепить её юридически.

Lavrov details the Steinmeier formula compromise: special-status law enters force provisionally on election day and permanently once the OSCE reports elections were free and fair. President Putin accepted this after Poroshenko conditioned status on knowing who would be elected. Despite Berlin 2016 and multiple configurations, Kyiv refuses to fix the formula in a legal annex to Minsk — a concession by Donetsk and Lugansk that Ukraine's representative will not even discuss.

Берлинская договорённость 2016 года и срыв разведения в Станице Луганской при формальном соблюдении «тишины».

A second broken agreement is the October 2016 Berlin deal marking three pilot zones for full disengagement of forces and equipment — not merely heavy weapons. At Stanitsa Luhanska, Kyiv demanded seven days of complete silence; the SMM has reported 60 times that silence held, yet Ukraine counted 'a couple of shots' and restarted the clock. After the 5 June Contact Group meeting, disengagement was set for 10 June and a ceasefire document for 19 June — then a blast blamed on a provocation blocked progress again.

Возвращение Кучмы в контактную группу внушало оптимизм, но провокации продолжаются.

Lavrov welcomed former President Leonid Kuchma's return as Ukraine's Contact Group representative, pledging to advance Zelensky's peace line — ending hostilities and restoring economic ties as Minsk requires. June agreements raised optimism, yet Ukrainian actions, including the Stanitsa Luhanska incident, suggest forces still obstruct implementation.

Соглашение 21 февраля 2014 года и «правительство победителей» вместо национального единства.

Lavrov revisits the 21 February 2014 agreement witnessed by France, Germany and Poland, which Moscow helped secure at Western request. Next day the opposition tore it up with European passivity. The document called for a government of national unity; instead the coup leaders proclaimed a 'government of victors' awaiting Maidan congratulations. Their first act was to repeal the law on Russian and minority language rights — a signal heard in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

История востока и Крыма после переворота: АТО вместо диалога.

Lavrov recounts Dmytro Yarosh's threats toward Russians in Crimea, 'friendship trains' to seize the Crimean parliament, and eastern communities asking only to be left alone after the coup. They were labelled terrorists and separatists; aircraft bombed Lugansk, people were burned alive in Odessa, tragedies struck Mariupol on 9 May — yet no fact shows Donbas or Crimea attacking the rest of Ukraine. Russia, he insists, must remind Europe of this erased context behind today's 'aggressor' slogans.

Нужны честность и консенсус, а не жесты; Европа не должна покрывать всё, что делает Киев.

Lavrov says Russia has made enough positive gestures; what is needed is honest implementation of signed Minsk obligations rather than symbolic moves. He urges Normandy and wider European security formats to seek consensus and compromises, present agreed outcomes publicly, and for Europe to stop providing blanket cover for everything Kyiv does — hoping Zelensky's mandate and July elections will confirm Ukrainians' desire to end the abnormal situation.

СВПД нужно спасти; INSTEX объявлен, но не работает.

Asked how to save the JCPOA, Lavrov calls it a major diplomatic achievement strengthening non-proliferation. After the US withdrawal, remaining participants reaffirmed commitment and held ministerial meetings in Vienna and New York. The E3 and EU pledged a mechanism to preserve Iran's economic benefits; INSTEX was announced but months later still does not function, covers only EU–Iran trade in non-sanctioned goods, and Washington threatens anyone who uses it.

США вынуждают мир не выполнять резолюции; шаги Ирана — ответ на запрет покупать излишки.

Lavrov notes Iran used its right under UNSCR 2231 to suspend some voluntary limits on low-enriched uranium and heavy water after the US banned all countries from buying Iranian surpluses — surpluses the JCPOA required Iran to sell abroad. The IAEA reports Iran still meets its obligations, but Lavrov says there is a bid to force the world not to comply with Security Council resolutions in order to strangle a country — a test of treaty compliance he calls the mildest phrase available.

Россия годами продвигает концепцию безопасности в заливе по модели Хельсинки.

On regional security, Lavrov highlights UNSCR 598's call to promote regional security and says Russia alone has for 17–18 years pursued a concept of Gulf security through dialogue between the GCC and Iran, drawing on the Helsinki process — confidence-building, military transparency, observer invitations — with potential involvement of the Arab League, EU, P5 and OIC. The concept has been updated and remains on the table; Iran's Zarif recently proposed a non-aggression pact, useful but no substitute for broad trust-building dialogue.

Иран делают козлом отпущения; квартет не собирался годами; от Европы зависит судьба СВПД.

Lavrov warns regional troubles are being blamed on Iran to distract from the Palestinian statehood question and the two-state solution. Attempts to disregard Security Council resolutions are visible. The internationally recognised Quartet format remains enshrined in UN resolutions and has not been cancelled, yet has not met for years — which Russia considers counterproductive. On the JCPOA's future, much depends on Europe; Lavrov fears some partners want Iran to err so they can shrug off responsibility, and urges law-abiding Europe to uphold UNSCR 2231.