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Year in review: RT to talk global politics & challenges with Russia’s FM Lavrov Year in review: RT to talk global politics & challenges with Russia’s FM Lavrov
(about 3 hours later)
As 2017 nears its end, RT plans a sit down with FM Sergey Lavrov to unpack the issues that shaped the geopolitical landscape, including the Syrian and Yemen conflicts, the Korean crisis and the rift between the US and Russia. As 2017 nears its end, RT is about to have a sit down with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the man charged with the hard job of steering the Russian diplomatic ship through the rough waters of current global politics.
Apart from the ongoing world crises and military conflicts, RT also plans to quiz Russia's top diplomat on the dispute between Moscow and Washington which has further intensified this year. Discussing Russia’s future role on the world stage in an ever changing geopolitical climate is also on the agenda. 2017 was arguably one of the most turbulent in recent years for diplomatic efforts, and much of that came from Washington. Hopes for a thaw in US-Russia relations under President Donald Trump are now gone as he is besieged by accusations of colluding with the Kremlin, and his foreign policy becomes more and more aggressive. From belligerent exchanges of insults with North Korea to challenging even America’s closest allies with the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Washington’s actions are perceived as increasingly disruptive in Moscow (as well as other capitals).
Lavrov has long been deployed at the heart of international politics and knows the issues and undercurrents firsthand. Being one of the diplomats spearheading efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis around North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, Lavrov has repeatedly cautioned Washington against any reckless moves, warning, that any potential US military action against Pyongyang would be “a huge mistake.” The crisis on the Korean Peninsula saw neither the US nor North Korea showing any signs of yielding to each other’s demands. An escalation, possibly to outright war, is now feared, so Moscow seeks China’s help to deflate the tensions and bring the stubborn parties to the negotiating table.
The minister also works closely with many international actors to advance the peace process in Syria. In early December, he discussed the situation in the Middle Eastern country with the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura. Lavrov said Russian initiatives in Syria, including the de-escalation zones, are now aimed at promoting “pragmatic contacts” between the opposition, local leaders and the Syrian government, which could lay the foundation for an all-inclusive national dialogue. Arguably, the only high point for US-Russia relations in 2017 was an unshared victory in Iraq and Syria, where Islamic State seems to have finally been defeated. Both countries, however, remain riddled by internal divisions, while Moscow and Washington are at odds regarding Syria’s future. Russia has managed to cooperate with Washington’s estranged ally Turkey and longtime enemy Iran over Syria, which adds complexity to the already difficult situation.
Washington’s relations with Moscow plunged to new lows in 2017, amid unsubstantiated accusations Russia interfered in the US elections. But despite the reality that bilateral relations remain tense and frosty, Lavrov is not giving up on dialogue, with Moscow, according to his deputy, continuing to engage US diplomats almost “every day.” Another potential conflict is brewing over US animosity with Iran and the Trump administration’s apparent intention to bury the Obama-era nuclear deal. The 2015 agreement was brokered with the help of leading powers, including Russia, which are not happy to see it fall apart due to apparent US partisanship.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will sit with RT for an exclusive interview on Monday, December 25. Tune in at 8am GMT to watch the conversation live, and get a firsthand account on global political developments from Russia’s top diplomat. RT will ask Russia’s master diplomat about all these issues and many more in an exclusive interview on Monday, December 25. Tune in at 8am GMT to see the conversation with Sergey Lavrov live.