Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Serbia Marko Djuric, Moscow, February 17, 2025

Mr Minister.

Dear friends,

We are delighted to see you in Moscow. We value our relations that have withstood the test of time, although this test was sometimes very difficult. They are based on friendly relations between the peoples of Russia and Serbia, a determination to preserve the memory of the history of our friendship and events that plunged Europe into the most terrible world war. That war impacted multiple Soviet nations and Serbs. We believe that numerous objectives of developing our partnership include the consolidation of efforts to prevent a repetition of a similar tragedy. 

Unfortunately, forces dissatisfied with this historical development scenario are trying to influence the world, especially Europe. They would like to rewrite history and to dominate the global arena. We have been convinced of this once again. Addressing the recent Munich Security Conference, European leaders voiced unprecedentedly aggressive remarks, primarily regarding my country. 

However, other voices were also heard; they were more realistic and hinged on the drastically changing line-up of global forces and heeded the emergence of a multipolar world order.

In all circumstances, Russia and Serbia are committed to all key principles of the UN Charter in their interdependence and entirety. I have no doubts that, together with all countries of the Global Majority, we will continue to uphold them. It is our interests to strengthen the extremely solid foundation of Russian-Serbian relations in the sphere of trade and economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation.

Today, we will have an opportunity to discuss all this, as well as the situation on the international arena. I am happy with this opportunity.