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Russia's Lavrov Says US Discarding International Conventions, Pursuing Its Own Interests
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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Russian FM Sergei Lavrov accuses the US of abandoning international norms to assert energy dominance, citing actions in Venezuela, Iran, and Europe, and warns of a shift toward a ‘might makes right’ world order.
Lavrov Claims US Dismisses Global Conventions to Gain Energy Market Control
Lavrov Accuses US of Abandoning International Norms for Energy Dominance
April 24 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of abandoning internationally recognised diplomatic conventions in pursuit of its own interests, particularly in dominating energy markets, in an interview broadcast on Friday.
US Actions in Latin America and the Middle East
Lavrov, interviewed by Russian state television, said Washington, in its dealings with Latin America and the Middle East, was "taking us back to a world where nothing existed" in international law.
Statements on US Policy and International Law
"The United States has officially declared that no one can dictate to it," he said in the interview, the text of which was posted on the Foreign Ministry's website.
Allegations of US Tactics for Energy Control
"It cares only about its own well-being and is ready to defend that well-being by any means - coups, kidnappings or assassinations of leaders of countries that possess natural resources the Americans need.
"Venezuela, Iran, our American colleagues do not hide that this is about oil. They have a doctrine of dominance in global energy markets."
Specific Incidents Cited by Lavrov
Lavrov was alluding to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a January U.S. military operation and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes at the end of February.
US Influence on European Energy Policy
The United States, Lavrov said, had "cut off" Europe, urging European states to abandon the now-damaged Nord Stream pipeline carrying Russian gas to Germany and backing European Union calls to discourage Hungary and Slovakia from buying Russian gas.
"This is not an approach to international relations. It is an attempt to return to the colonial era," Lavrov said, denouncing European policy as being driven by "arrogance and contempt for others."
US Economic Interests in Ukraine Conflict
Even in seeking a settlement of the four-year war in Ukraine, he said, the United States was promoting the benefits of "huge economic opportunities."
"At the same time, everything I just described is happening in parallel. We are being pushed out of all global energy markets," he said.
"If we are ready to carry out mutually beneficial projects on our territory and provide Americans with what interests them ... then our interests must also be respected. So far, we do not see this."
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Rod Nickel)
Key Takeaways
- •Lavrov claims the US is discarding international laws and conventions in favor of unilateral action, especially to control energy markets, invoking alleged operations in Venezuela and Iran as examples. (aa.com.tr)
- •He criticizes Western policies—particularly EU moves away from Nord Stream and sanctions against Russian energy—as a form of neocolonial arrogance, not diplomacy. (aa.com.tr)
- •Lavrov frames the geopolitical landscape as reverting to pre-World War frameworks—where power overrides legal norms—and positions Russia as ready to cooperate only under mutual respect. (aa.com.tr)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia's Lavrov says US discarding international conventions, pursuing its own interests
1What did Sergei Lavrov accuse the United States of?
Lavrov accused the US of abandoning internationally recognised diplomatic conventions to pursue its own interests, particularly in dominating energy markets.
2How does Lavrov characterize US actions in Latin America and the Middle East?
Lavrov claims the US uses means such as coups, kidnappings, and assassinations to secure resources in these regions.
3What does Lavrov say about the US approach to Europe?
He states that the US has urged European states to abandon Russian gas and discourages them from buying it, calling this a return to colonial-era behavior.
4How is the Ukraine war related to Lavrov’s accusations?
Lavrov suggests the US is using the Ukraine conflict to promote economic opportunities while sidelining Russian interests in global energy markets.
5What energy projects does Lavrov reference?
Lavrov mentions the Nord Stream pipeline and claims the US is pushing Europe to move away from Russian energy supplies.
