Sergey Lavrov criticizes US foreign policy and global energy strategy

On April 25, 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of abandoning international diplomatic norms to prioritize national interests and energy market dominance. Speaking to Russian state television, Lavrov claimed the U.S. is undermining international law through actions in Latin America and the Middle East. He explicitly cited the U.S. military operation in Caracas in January, which resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the joint U.S.-Israeli bombardment in late February that led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The minister further alleged that the U.S. is willing to use extreme measures, including coups and targeted killings, to control natural resources. Additionally, he accused Washington of damaging Russia-Europe relations by pressuring EU member states to abandon Nord Stream pipelines. Lavrov stated that the U.S. pursues a doctrine of global energy hegemony. These remarks were officially published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.