Sergey Lavrov interview with RBC, 28 August 2026

Глубинные перемены займут эпоху; окончательная конфигурация может не сложиться на глазах нынешнего поколения.

Asked to characterise today's world after bipolarity and post-Soviet unipolarity, Lavrov says it is in deep transformation that will likely take an epoch; the living generation may not see a final configuration if one can be formed at all.

Он находится в стадии трансформации, глубинных перемен.

It is in a stage of transformation, of deep changes.

Эти перемены, скорее всего, займут целую эпоху.

These changes will most likely take an entire epoch.

Фукуяма, западные советники в министерствах и приватизация.

After the USSR's collapse, unipolarity was proclaimed almost openly. Fukuyama voiced Western elites' dream that the liberal model alone would dominate. In Russia some greeted that with enthusiasm — "God save America" in Congress from a Russian president — while Western specialists filled ministries and shaped privatisation. Many warned of the danger.

Фрэнсис Фукуяма отразил чаяния и мечты … западных элит, когда он сказал, что наступил конец истории.

Francis Fukuyama reflected the aspirations and dreams … of Western elites when he said the end of history had come.

Западные специалисты заполонили все наши правительственные учреждения, участвовали в реформах, в подготовке приватизации.

Western specialists flooded all our government institutions, took part in reforms and in preparing privatisation.

Возврат исторической сущности; однополярные расчёты на покладистость не оправдались.

The 2000 elections reflected the people's will to reclaim historical essence and national pride. Yeltsin's public December 1999 handover to Putin began a new epoch; unipolar theorists had not counted on Russia remaining as pliant as under Yeltsin's government.

То, что произошло на выборах 2000 года … отразило желание … народа вернуть себе свою историческую сущность, своё предназначение, свою гордость национальную.

What happened in the 2000 elections … reflected the people's desire to reclaim their historical essence, their purpose, their national pride.

Я не думаю, что рассчитывали инициаторы однополярной теории на то, что Россия будет такой же покладистой, как при правительстве Ельцина.

I do not think the initiators of unipolar theory counted on Russia remaining as pliant as under Yeltsin's government.

Декларация о стратегическом партнёрстве; отказ от равноправного членства в НАТО.

The West mixed shoulder-patting with atmosphere-building: Putin's 2001 US visit, Bush Jr in 2002, a forgotten strategic-partnership declaration. Putin had already offered Clinton equal NATO membership if the alliance would not close; Clinton seemed to consider it, then said at an evening reception his people told him it would not work. Russia was to be kept close, never as an equal.

Была подписана декларация … о стратегическом партнёрстве Российской Федерации и Соединённых Штатов Америки.

A declaration was signed … on strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the United States of America.

Мне сказали мои ребята, что не получится.

My guys told me it won't work.

Политика — да; валютно-финансовое управление — у семёрки.

Even triumphant entry into the G8 was incomplete: political sessions used Russia to push assessments on Iran or the DPRK beyond Security Council decisions, while delicate management of the monetary and trade system stayed with the Seven; Russia's finance minister was informed afterward.

Это было неполноценное членство.

It was incomplete membership.

Самые деликатные вопросы управления международной валютно-финансовой и торговой системой обсуждались семёркой.

The most delicate questions of managing the international monetary-financial and trading system were discussed by the Seven.

Факты и вопрос «зачем вы это делаете»; многополярность как реальность.

The watershed was Putin's 2007 Munich speech: dry, irrefutable facts plus emotion — why deceive on NATO and crises instead of acting as promised in documents. Multipolarity is now reality: China as the largest economy by PPP, India, Brazil, and Africa leaving the neo-colonial raw-materials model.

Рубежом … стала мюнхенская речь Путина 2007 года.

The watershed … was Putin's Munich speech of 2007.

Он буквально вопрошал … зачем вы это делаете?

He literally asked … why are you doing this?

Терпение в пословицах; основа западной дипломатии — обман.

Why keep expecting not to be deceived? Lavrov cites national patience — the Lord endured and so must we; measure seven times; wait three years for a promise — and hope a scoundrel cannot be wholly a scoundrel. That is not mere naivety: deceit remains the basis of Western diplomacy.

Обман — это основа дипломатии Запада. И до сих пор это так.

Deceit is the basis of Western diplomacy. And it is still so.

Господь терпел и нам велел.

The Lord endured and commanded us to as well.

Расширение НАТО: «устно», затем «политическая декларация»; проекты 2008 и декабря 2021 отвергнуты.

Matlock's memoirs confirm the firm promise not to expand NATO after German unity. Oral assurances were waved off as oral; the 1999 Istanbul OSCE summit's written indivisible security and non-domination pledges were called non-binding political declarations. The 2008 legally binding draft translating those principles was ducked; December 2021 US and NATO treaties were the last prevention effort before the Ukraine crisis.

Ну, это же мы устно разговаривали.

Well, we were only speaking orally.

Ну это же политическая декларация, она же юридически не обязывающая.

Well, that is a political declaration; it is not legally binding.

Гарантии ЕС растоптаны overnight; «правительство победителей».

Germany, France and Poland guaranteed early elections and a national-unity government between Yanukovych and the opposition. By morning of 22 February oppositionists seized buildings and announced a government of victors; Western leaders celebrated that "the people" had taken power while Yanukovych was still in Kharkov at a party congress.

На утро, 22 февраля, занимают оппозиционеры правительственные здания … «Поздравьте, мы создали правительство победителей».

On the morning of 22 February the opposition occupy government buildings … "Congratulate us, we have created a government of victors.

Янукович был на съезде своей партии в Харькове. … Он никуда не сбежал. Он был в стране.

Yanukovych was at his party's congress in Kharkov. … He had not fled anywhere. He was in the country.

Готовность говорить сохраняется; доверия прежнего не будет.

After the special military operation and the West's turn to ever more lethal arms for the Kyiv Nazi regime, Putin said Russia will always be ready to talk, but lessons are learned: relations with the West will never again be as they were before February 2022. National character believed to the last — and the last has come.

Наши отношения с Западом уже никогда не будут такими, какими они были до февраля 2022 года.

Our relations with the West will never again be as they were before February 2022.

Последнее уже наступило.

The last has already come.

Визиты тех, кто захотел приехать и поговорить; гуманитарный трек Ватикана.

Asked what it means that the Vatican's foreign minister and the CIA director were in Moscow the same week, Lavrov answers dryly: visits by those who wished to come and talk. With Gallagher he covered the public press-conference ground — interest in ending the conflict and humanitarian help via Cardinal Zuppi and the ombudspersons' channel.

Происходят визиты главы дипломатии Ватикана и главы ЦРУ.

Visits by the head of Vatican diplomacy and the head of the CIA are taking place.

В обоих случаях стоит желание тех, кто к нам приезжал, … приехать и поговорить.

In both cases what stands behind it is the desire of those who came to us … to come and talk.

Минск как выигрыш времени; «стабилизационные силы» консервируют неонацизм.

Lavrov walked Gallagher through 2014 guarantees torn, Minsk sabotaged (Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko later admitted buying time to arm), and Johnson forbidding signature of Ukraine's own Istanbul text. The West's current line — stop on the contact line without recognising Russian constitutional territories, then "stabilise" with British and French forces — would conserve the only regime on earth that legislatively banned a language and a canonical religion.

Да ничего мы не собирались выполнять, нам надо было время выиграть, чтобы вооружаться.

We never intended to implement anything; we needed to win time to arm.

Эти стабилизационные силы … сохраняют, консервируют, защищают неонацистский режим.

These stabilisation forces … preserve, conserve and protect the neo-Nazi regime.

Не пакет переговоров; обязанность по Уставу ООН без условий.

Gallagher admitted time ran short to raise church persecution in Kyiv; he promised later signals. Lavrov stresses UN Charter duties on language and religion are unconditional. A Western colleague over coffee said these issues would be part of talks; Lavrov replied they cannot be part of a package — those who run Ukraine bear direct responsibility.

Это не может быть частью пакета переговоров. Это обязанность, которая без всяких условий должна быть выполнена.

This cannot be part of a negotiation package. It is an obligation that must be fulfilled without any conditions.

Все обязаны уважать и обеспечивать права человека независимо от расы, пола, языка и религии.

All are obliged to respect and ensure human rights regardless of race, sex, language and religion.

Не ультиматум, а вопросы по утечкам; ответов от Госдепа ни разу.

Wall Street Journal versions — warning Russia not to attack a NATO Baltic state, or Russia asking how the US helps Ukrainian strikes — meet Lavrov's note that services deal in silence and Trump called the visit routine. No Russian ultimatum on 14 August: when Western leaks claim Trump administration aid, financing, arms or intel to Ukraine, Moscow calmly asks the State Department to confirm and has never once received an answer.

С нашей стороны никакого ультиматума не было. С нашей стороны был вопрос.

There was no ultimatum on our side. On our side there was a question.

Нам ещё ни разу не ответили.

They have still never answered us even once.

Пакет США по реалиям; Путин принял полностью после подтверждения Уиткоффа.

Trump differed from Europeans and Biden by looking at root causes and saying long before office that Ukraine in NATO is unreal. Witkoff brought a land-realities package with limited compromises a week before Anchorage; Putin read it point by point, Witkoff confirmed, Putin accepted fully. Rubio's later claim that Anchorage was merely a Russian proposal Ukrainians disliked inverts who offered and who agreed.

Забудьте про НАТО. … Русские нам всё сказали задолго до Путина. Это нереально.

Forget NATO. … The Russians told us everything long before Putin. It is unreal.

Дональд, есть тут нюансы, но я принимаю твоё предложение полностью. Мы готовы.

Donald, there are nuances here, but I accept your proposal fully. We are ready.

Европейцы «похоронили Анкоридж»; Россия держит слово по-пацански.

Presidents can usefully meet without documents, but Russian custom treats a handshake as honour. After Anchorage, Europeans and Zelensky hung on Trump; by June at the G7 Macron boasted they had buried Anchorage and Trump was now with them — no White House reaction. Russia will not adopt that style: noble or "boyish," the word is kept; same as accepting Ukraine's Istanbul text in April 2022.

Мы похоронили Анкоридж. Трамп теперь с нами.

We have buried Anchorage. Trump is now with us.

Мы привыкли дела делать … по-пацански. … Мы ударили по рукам. Держим слово.

We are used to doing things … in a guy's way. … We struck hands. We keep our word.

После Бучи огонь только при полноценном урегулировании.

After Macron's goodwill pullback from Kyiv and the BBC Bucha spectacle, Putin ruled: always ready to negotiate, but no ceasefire for the period of talks — fire ends only with a full, lasting settlement. At Anchorage Trump praised results and stressed durable foundations, not a truce that breaks in a year or two; the hard remainder was the part of the DPR still under the AFU.

Огонь закончится только когда будет полноценное, долгосрочное урегулирование.

Fire will end only when there is a full, long-term settlement.

Мы идём по пути … формулирования долгосрочных устойчивых основ стабильного урегулирования.

We are going along the path … of formulating long-term sustainable foundations for a stable settlement.

Внутренние расклады Запада непрозрачны; 11 сентября — первый звонок Путина.

Asked whether Trump is as strong as he seems if Alaska was not signed, Lavrov will not rate golf-swing strength or map Western internal lines. He notes US once-boundless power is passing; Europe was pushed toward military spending near US levels. Russia was sincere after 9/11 — Putin first to call, Security Council resolution for Afghanistan — yet Americans stayed instead of eradicating terror, while Caucasus terrorism had Western sponsors including Britain.

Могущество их некогда безграничное … уходит в прошлое.

Their once-boundless might … is passing into the past.

11 сентября 2001 года Путин первый позвонил американскому президенту Бушу.

On 11 September 2001 Putin was the first to call American President Bush.

Вековая негативная роль; «Немыслимое» до конца войны.

Britain's role toward Russia has been the most negative for centuries — no permanent allies, Crimean War, revolution-era intrigues, George V refusing Nicholas II refuge. WWII Lend-Lease and northern convoys helped, yet allies watched which way the front swung; Unthinkable was drafted before the guns fell silent. Situational brotherhood evaporated quickly.

Роль Британии — самая негативная, как это было на протяжении … долгих веков.

Britain's role is the most negative, as it has been over … long centuries.

Операция «Немыслимое» … предполагала массированное нападение на Советский Союз.

Operation Unthinkable … envisaged a massive attack on the Soviet Union.

Коррупция, зерно, удары по гражданской инфраструктуре; Запад молчит.

Lavrov doubts Britain is outplaying America so much as Zelensky bosses all — ignoring US anti-corruption bodies, Ukrainian refugees straining Poland, grain undercutting farmers — while ordering the West about. Irritation grows but will not make him surrender. Attacks on refineries, marketplaces, schools, beaches and buses aim to destabilise Russian society; the West and UN human-rights machinery stay shamefully silent.

Зеленский просто руководит всеми.

Zelensky simply runs everyone.

Нельзя поддаваться … попыткам … дестабилизировать наше общество путём атак по НПЗ, по маркетплейсам, по гражданской инфраструктуре.

One must not give in … to attempts … to destabilise our society by attacks on refineries, marketplaces, civilian infrastructure.

Не Вторая мировая; Рубио — США за Украину, не посредник.

When people ask why it is not finished faster despite strength, Lavrov notes this is unlike WWII: then the US and Britain were allies and others joined as Hitler fell; now only DPRK service members share the trenches while the collective West is against Russia. Rubio's line that the US is not a mediator but for Ukraine makes that front universal.

В этот раз … с нами в окопах были только военнослужащие Корейской Народно-Демократической Республики. Все остальные — на той стороне.

This time … only service members of the DPRK were with us in the trenches. Everyone else is on the other side.

США не посредник, они за Украину.

The US is not a mediator; they are for Ukraine.

«Изгои» по версии конца истории; Ормуз и плата после агрессии 28 февраля.

Asked how Russia ended up with "outcast" allies, Lavrov asks what is wrong with the company — outcast status was assigned by those who proclaimed the end of history. The DPRK concluded nuclear weapons are the only guarantee amid US bases. After US–Israeli bombing amid talks and the 28 February aggression, Hormuz — fully open before — may now involve transit fees; hardliners in Tehran who warned against trusting talks without a bomb were strengthened.

А чем плохая компания?

And what is bad about the company?

Ормузский пролив был полностью открыт до 28 февраля. А после этой агрессии … уже обсуждают плату за проход.

The Strait of Hormuz was fully open until 28 February. And after this aggression … they are already discussing a fee for passage.

Страны делят; Россия среди учредителей всемирной организации по ИИ.

Countries are not splitting themselves over AI; they are being split. US Pax Silica gathers states under rules that keep China out and lock commercial and dual-use norms. China launched a World AI Organisation conference; Russia is among founding participants (about 38 countries). Russia wants universal discussion, not ideological flats. Gallagher shared concern about controlling military AI use.

Страны не начали делиться, их начали делить.

Countries did not start dividing; they began to be divided.

Китайский проект … открыт для всех. А Pax Silica … скорее такая … келейная.

The Chinese project … is open to all. And Pax Silica … is rather … closed-door.

Интересы народа; референдум откладывают после закона о курсе в ЕС.

On Kocharyan family arrests and pressure, the MFA starts from the Armenian people's centuries-interwoven interests with Russia. Current Yerevan orients to the EU and passed a law starting accession; EAEU leaders asked for a referendum — EU and EAEU norms are incompatible. Pashinyan postpones the people's choice until after an EU application and roadmap — little trust in voters — while trade with the EAEU reached about $12 billion and energy costs a fraction of EU prices.

Мы исходим из интересов армянского народа.

We proceed from the interests of the Armenian people.

Несовместимы нормы одной организации с другой организацией.

The norms of one organisation are incompatible with those of the other.

Ассоциация и открытая граница; госперевороты — не наш метод.

The parallel with 2013 Ukraine is formal: association with near-zero EU tariffs plus CIS free trade would flood Russia after eighteen years winning WTO tariff protections — so the border would have to close. Russia has laid out Armenia's EAEU advantages; public claims about the South Caucasus railway concession before private partner talks add emotion to economics. Soft power may be "too soft," but staging coups is not Russia's method.

Если вы открываете границу с Европой, … нужно будет нашу границу закрыть.

If you open the border with Europe, … our border will need to be closed.

Устройство госпереворотов не научились — не наш метод.

We never learned how to stage coups — that is not our method.

Участки в Европе против двух в России; вмешательство ЕС в выборы.

Moldovan elections were swung by 200-plus polling stations in Europe while the largest diaspora in Russia had only two and over a hundred thousand votes were effectively discarded; Sandu's EU course had only about 44% inside Moldova. EU hybrid-threat missions and talk of new peacekeepers continue a pattern of electoral interference — less crude than Romania's post-first-round candidate removal, but the same family.

44% всего были за движение в сторону Евросоюза … А всё было решено за счёт участков, которые открыли в Европе.

Only 44% were for moving toward the European Union … And everything was decided by the stations opened in Europe.

В России, где самая крупная диаспора, было открыто только два.

In Russia, where the largest diaspora is, only two were opened.

«Постсоветское пространство» — для истории; термин концепции 2023 года.

By 2026 the term post-Soviet space belongs to history, as with other former empires. The March 2023 Foreign Policy Concept's "near abroad" is neutral — not Soviet, imperial or democratic branding. Each people may choose its state form; crises around Russia were brought in from outside, from Britain and Europe — including the 2004 illegal third round in Ukraine. Russia worked even with Yushchenko and Tymoshenko.

Я думаю, оно давно вошло в историю.

I think it long ago entered history.

Ближнее зарубежье … нейтральное, оно не советское, не имперское.

Near abroad … is neutral; it is not Soviet, not imperial.

Слишком мягкая на фоне чужого вмешательства; перевороты не освоили.

Critics in Armenia and elsewhere say Russian soft power is too soft. Lavrov grants that soft power has elsewhere degraded into direct interference. Russia has wartime intelligence traditions of information-gathering heroism, but arranging state coups was never learned — and is not the method.

Может быть, нас упрекают в том, что наша мягкая сила слишком мягкая.

Perhaps we are reproached that our soft power is too soft.

Поскольку сейчас мягкая сила однозначно деградировала в прямые методы вмешательства во внутренние дела, наверное, да.

Since soft power has now clearly degraded into direct methods of interference in internal affairs — probably yes.