Posted on 03/13/2025 6:38:35 AM PDT by delta7
What an honor. I was invited, along with Judge Napolitano and Mario Nawfal, to interview Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on Monday. Mr. Lavrov is smart, charming, funny and quite approachable. He ain’t a bullshitter. There was no pretense about him. After spending more than 90 minutes conversing with him, I came away with a new appreciation of his skill as the consummate diplomat. Although we each had prepared a couple of questions in advance, those went out the window once the conversation started. There were no constraints on what we could ask.
There was an added treat before Mr. Lavrov arrived… we spent thirty minutes chatting with Maria Zakharova in a casual environment. She is equally charming and tough as a rhinoceros hide. I think of her as an iron fist wrapped in a luxurious velvet glove. A formidable diplomat in her own right.
Here is a summary of the key points Mr. Lavrov made during our discussion:
I think what is going on in the United States is a return to normalcy. <…> The fact is that a normal administration without any, you know, unChristian ideas came to power and the reaction was such an explosion in the media, in the politics all over the world is very interesting and very telling.
When we met in Riyadh (https://t.me/MFARussia/23858) with Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz and Steve Witkoff they suggested the meeting and they said, look, we want normal relations in the sense that the foundation of the American foreign policy under the Donald Trump administration is the national interest of the United States. But at the same time, we understand that other countries also have their national interest.
It is very well understood that countries like the United States and Russia would never have their national interest the same. They would not coincide maybe even 50 or less percent. But when they do coincide this situation must be used to develop this simultaneous and similar interest. But when the interests do not coincide and contradict each other then the responsible countries must do everything not to allow this contradiction to degenerate into confrontation, especially military confrontation which would be disastrous for many other countries.
The beginning of the special military operation was a decision because all other attempts, all other alternatives to bring things into some positive dimension failed for ten years after the illegal coup in Kiev, in violation of the deal signed the night before and guaranteed by the Germans, French and Poles.
I don’t think the Americans would drop from NATO. At least President Trump never hinted that this might be the case. But what he did bluntly say was that if you want us to protect you, to give you security guarantees, you pay what is necessary.
But President Trump doesn’t want to provide these security guarantees to Ukraine under Zelensky. He has his own view of the situation which he bluntly presents every now and then, that this war should never have started – that pulling Ukraine into NATO in violation of its constitution, in violation of the Declaration of Independence of 1991, on the basis of which we recognized Ukraine as a sovereign state. For several reasons including that this Declaration was saying no NATO, no blocs, neutral status. Another thing which this Declaration also confirmed and solidified – all rights of Russian and all other national minorities are to be respected. Europe and the UK, they certainly want this to continue.
The way they received Zelensky in London after the scandal in Washington (https://t.me/MFARussia/24007), it’s an indication that they want to raise the stakes and they are preparing something to pressure the Donald Trump administration back into some aggressive action against Russia. It’s not about the territories, it’s about the people who were deprived of their history by law. Territories are important only because people live on these territories. The people who live on the territories are descendants of those who for hundreds of years were building Odessa & other cities on those very lands who were building ports, roads, who were founding those lands and who associated with the history of this land.
❗️ The Americans know that we would not betray our commitments, legal commitments, the political commitments which we develop with China.
If you want to read the full transcript of the conversation, click here.
Mario Nawfal, the young man seated between the Judge and me, was a delight to be with. At the ripe old age of 30, he treated Judge Nap and me like two respected grandfathers. Being able to spend five days with Judge Napolitano — it was the first time we have been together physically in the entire time that I have known him — was a special treat.
The Judge and I met for breakfast every morning in the room pictured above during our time in Moscow. While eating, we were serenaded by a talented harpist, which added a surreal quality to the experience. The staff at the Metropol are superb as well. I will provide a more detailed account of our time in Moscow in a forthcoming post.
Level headed guy that has an understanding of America and works at what is in the interests of his country. I listened to most of this last night.
FM Lavrov reminds us that the old, elite and aging and stultified Soviet Apparatchik mechanism is still alive in the Russian Federation.
Old Russians never die they just go to the Politburo or stay entrenched in their jobs until they are discovered decomposing in their office 45 years later.
Nothing changes in Russia and Lavrov has done very well for himself, hanging on for 21 years in that position.
He must be doing something right as the old style Soviet PRAVDA mouthpiece.
Logan Act these bastards. They have no business meddling in foreign affairs which is the exclusive province of the President and the executive branch. Russia knows this, they are not stupid. And it IS meddling, by a destructive anti-Trump media and retired judges. They are not Trump’s envoys. Nor do they speak for him.
FM Lavrov reminds us that the old, elite and aging and stultified Soviet Apparatchik
————-
You didn’t watch the interview with Lavrov. He expressed the same thoughts many Americans have. You have been infected with the Democrat’s Russian Derangement Syndrome. Seek help.
Lavrov is very good a putting out a tone and words that convey the planned message, harsh or charming. Let’s hope that Rubio, Waltz, and Witcoff can arrive at a settlement wherein mutual self-interest, not promises or “trust”, govern future behavior. Any deal done now needs to fence in the factions on all sides that crave a return to war and cold war.
If we can turn Russia into a stable trading partner, it would be an incredibly good thing for the entire world.
It is impossible to turn China into a stable trading partner, despite the expensive protestations of McKinsey and Co for 40 years.
They do have the right to speak to whoever they wish. Logan Act does not apply to these people. Everyone at that table, including Lavrov, know that they are not speaking for the US government and since this was posted on the internet it certainly wasn’t any secret backhanded negotiations.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what other nations are thinking. I would prefer to have respectful dialogue rather than censorship and war.
Be careful that you do not become what you say you hate the most.
Mr. Lavrov is smart, charming, funny and loves Hamas terrorists. Also lies about Russian intentions.
“He must be doing something right as the old style Soviet PRAVDA mouthpiece.”
Appointed by Putin.
“You didn’t watch the interview with Lavrov. He expressed the same thoughts many Americans have. You have been infected with the Democrat’s Russian Derangement Syndrome. Seek help.”
Thank you for endorsing your anti-America, pro-Russia propaganda.
I knew there would be a person come up like you. I made an observation based on the video and all at once I can see no wrong with Russia.
So predictable.
Whatever
“I made an observation based on the video and all at once I can see no wrong with Russia.”
Did you really mean what you wrote?
Yes I do. I am surprised you are back and haven’t been sent to the cornfield yet.
Won’t be long. Arrogance is your downfall. Now scoot along.
“Yes I do.”
Now I understand why you defend Delta7/Armstrong.
Amazing that one now gets attacked for speaking the truth about Russia here.
Pro-Russia propaganda is over the top.
Dforest replied to you that he sees nothing wrong with Russia.
Hey TDS sufferer, what part of the above DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND???
And stuff your asinine personal comments where they can't get sunburnt.
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