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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.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Photo: Tass via dpa
Ukraine war

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

Russian leader boasts of battlefield gains in Ukraine while his envoys prepare to meet the Americans this weekend.

Ukraine war

Proposals on territorial concessions by Ukraine sent to Trump: Merz

North Korea

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

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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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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, meet for the latest bilateral strategic security consultation, in Moscow on December 2. Photo: Xinhua
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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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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in August. Photo: Reuters
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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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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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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Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a press conference after addressing the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
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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Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of Russian drone strikes on infrastructure in Nizhyn district, Chernihiv region, on September 15. Photo: EPA/State Emergency Service of Ukraine
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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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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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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a concert at the Hanoi Opera House in Vietnam last year. Photo: EPA-EFE/Sputnik/Kremlin
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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US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for their summit on Friday. Photo: AFP
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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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’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wave during a Brics summit in Brazil in 2019. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the meeting in Tianjin on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

US President Donald Trump waves to reporters on the South Lawn at the White House on July 6, 2025. Photo: TNS
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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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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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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Shipping containers are stacked at Westport in Klang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The latest tariff salvos by US President Donald Trump have triggered widespread anxiety among Southeast Asia’s economies, most of which are reliant on US demand. Photo: AP
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.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
China-Asean relations

China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity

Foreign Minister Wang Yi presses Southeast Asian countries to not undermine interests of ‘third parties’ as region grapples with US tariffs.

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Asean

Rubio assures Malaysia has more time to negotiate US tariffs, Anwar says

Rubio reiterates to Anwar that Malaysia remains an important US partner and Washington is keen to boost cooperation with Asean.

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