More From Lavrov on Diplomat's Day

On my wall, I posted a passage from Lavrov's taped message to his comrades on the eve of Diplomat's Day, the annual holiday for those within Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although when you go to its website you'll see much activity. Today, Lavrov at the annual reception shared the messages from President Putin and Prime Minister Mishustin prior to his own oration and words of gratitude to his comrades which both echoes and expands on the passage I posted. As you'll read, there's a great resolve within the MFA to do what's right with which I agree with. Now, Lavrov:

Dear colleagues,

It's been a tough year. There have been no others lately. The main thing is that we are together and do not forget our comrades. Today we remember that many of them passed away in the past year. I ask you to honor their memory with a minute of silence.

***

First of all, I would like to read out President Vladimir Putin's address to the Foreign Ministry's staff and veterans.

"Dear friends!

Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your professional holiday – the Day of the Diplomatic Worker.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia can rightly be proud of its glorious traditions. Even in the most difficult times, in the face of severe trials, our diplomats honorably fulfilled their professional duty, set an example of patriotism and civic courage.

The best qualities of the domestic diplomatic service are very much in demand today – in the context of the hybrid war unleashed against Russia, when it is extremely important to use foreign policy instruments with maximum efficiency to protect our state sovereignty and national security.

Largely thanks to your efforts, we have already managed not only to disrupt the plans of the collective West to isolate our country, but also to intensify cooperation with the majority of members of the world community – the states of the Eurasian space, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America.

The agenda includes further increasing cooperation with responsible international partners. Of particular importance is the work aimed at strengthening ties with the CIS countries, promoting Eurasian integration processes and strengthening alliances within the framework of the CSTO, fully realizing the potential of the Union State, expanding cooperation in the format of such associations as the SCO and BRICS.

Among the unconditional priorities are the protection of the legitimate rights of Russian citizens and the support of compatriots abroad, the uncompromising fight against any manifestations of neo-Nazism and discrimination on the basis of nationality. And, of course, Russian diplomacy will continue to contribute to strengthening the trend towards the formation of a multipolar, truly democratic world order based on equality, mutual respect and compliance with the universally recognized norms of international law.

I am confident that you will continue to work with maximum efficiency, defending Russia's foreign policy interests. From the bottom of my heart I wish you new professional successes, and respected veterans - good health, good spirits and longevity. "

***

The Foreign Ministry also received congratulations from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Warm and kind words addressed to us were expressed in telegrams by the Chairman of the Federation Council Vladimir Matvienko and the Speaker of the State Duma Vladimir Volodin, the heads of parliamentary committees, heads of executive bodies, constituent entities of the Federation, and representatives of business circles. Such a manifestation of solidarity objectively contributes to the successful implementation of large-scale tasks set by the head of state.

The trust placed in us obliges us to many things. We have a responsibility to implement the decisions taken by the country's leadership in foreign policy to create a favorable external environment to ensure Russia's dynamic internal development. This is what President Vladimir Putin is orienting us towards. Such a task is enshrined in all doctrinal documents and will certainly be reflected in the updated Foreign Policy Concept, the work on which is being completed.

Western countries, led by the United States, are actively and aggressively seeking to prevent the creation of favorable external conditions for our internal development. Until recently, they played a decisive role in what conditions are developing in international relations, the world economy, and finance. It is they who abuse their position to such an extent that it has become clear to the whole world that this cannot continue.

Implementing the task of creating favorable external conditions for our own development, we will strive to ensure that they are formed on the basis of the consent and balance of interests of all states, and not on the dictates of the "collective West" and those who want to continue to do things in the world by colonial and neocolonial methods.

We celebrate our holiday in the conditions of total hybrid war. The "Collective West" has gathered in a new "crusade" to the East. This time, Ukrainian neo-Nazis, followers of S. Bandera and R. Shukhevych, are used as an advanced detachment. The Americans, the EU and NATO (which the United States has completely crushed under themselves) no longer hide their true goals – not only to inflict a strategic defeat on us "on the battlefield", to turn us into an international pariah, but also to destroy the Russian economy, weaken or even destroy the centuries-old Russian statehood. These are not figures of speech, but exactly what tasks are set by Western "strategists". They talk about it publicly.

There can be no doubt: threats to national security in the western direction will be reliably stopped. The Russian army and navy met the challenge posed to them with dignity. For its part, our diplomatic service continues to do everything necessary to strengthen national sovereignty, neutralize external challenges "on the distant approaches", and expand the circle of constructively minded international partners.

Today it can be argued that the Plans of the West to isolate Russia, to surround us with a "sanitary cordon" have failed. Despite the anti-Russian raised by Washington, London and Brussels, we are strengthening relations of good-neighborliness, in the broadest sense of this concept, with the World Majority – the states of Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, as well as Africa and Latin America, which are guided by fundamental national interests.

We maintain a dialogue with sane representatives of public, political and business circles of European countries who value friendship with Russia. All of us are united by the commitment to the democratization of interstate communication, the categorical rejection of the US-centric "rules-based order" with its inherent blackmail and threats, ultimatums and zero-sum games. That is, those unsuitable instruments of coercion that should not be in the diplomacy of the XXI century.

Today, Russia is at the forefront of international efforts to assert the enduring values of truth and justice in the world, to protect universally recognized international legal norms, including the sovereign equality of states (regardless of their size and form of government), and non-interference in internal affairs. We will continue to closely coordinate our steps with numerous friends, allies and like-minded people, including member states, participants and partners of the CSTO, EAEU, CIS, BRICS and SCO. We are working to fully unlock the potential of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. We will actively promote the consistent expansion of the membership of the newly created Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, which unites more than 20 member countries of the world Organisation. It works to strengthen the multipolar principles of international life.

No threats or accusations have affected our decisions to ensure vital national interests and will not affect our activities. "Isolation" is a figment of a sick imagination. Those who have been flagrantly trampling on the UN Charter for many years, who have committed criminal acts of armed aggression against Yugoslavia, Iraq and Libya, who have stained themselves with the bloody crimes of colonialism, who now want to adopt colonial practices in relations with all countries of the world have put themselves in international isolation. In deep isolation are those who vote against (or abstain) the annual resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on combating the glorification of Nazism.

If the West wants to "stew in its own juice" according to the "rules" that it talks about, but does not show to anyone, this is its choice. But Western countries are obliged to build a dialogue with other members of the world community on the principles of honesty, equality, mutual consideration of interests, signed and ratified by all countries of the modern world, the UN Charter, which is acceptable to others.

Colleagues, President of Russia Vladimir Putin has approved his foreign policy. It is of a long-term, strategic nature, will be fixed and developed in the new Foreign Policy Concept. As in all many years, we note the existence of a national consensus in support of this course. This gives our steps additional confidence, continuity, the necessary consistency and stability. Along with the time-tested and recognized by international partners high level of professional training, Russian diplomats should continue and constantly pay attention to its improvement.

In the coming period, not only the main vector of world development will be determined, but also the place of our country and others in the new polycentric architecture. President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in October 2022: "We are at a historic juncture, with probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and at the same time important decade since the end of World War II ahead."

We are all professionals and understand that this is not an exaggeration. Therefore, maximum dedication is required from us, multiplied by a firm unshakable confidence that we are doing the right thing. It is necessary to constantly keep up with the times, keep up with advanced "trends", skillfully combine time-tested methods of work with innovative approaches and technologies.

Among our unconditional priorities is to ensure the continuity of diplomatic generations. Smolenskaya Square has always had good traditions of mentoring. It is necessary to tirelessly, and today with special attention, "nurture", "move" young people, not be afraid to entrust them with responsible areas, listen to the opinion of young people. I am sure that combining many years of diplomatic experience (a low bow to veterans) with the energy of youth, a creative approach will only benefit our diplomatic service.

I want to address special words of gratitude to our veterans. We count on your rich experience. We do not intend to weaken efforts to provide you with the necessary support. Traditionally, an important role here is played by our foreign missions, the GlavUpDK under the Russian Foreign Ministry. We will continue to work with colleagues from the Government, the Presidential Executive Office, and other federal and municipal authorities in the interests of strengthening the social protection of all veterans and other employees without exception.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart I congratulate you on our professional holiday! I wish the staff of the Central Office, foreign missions, territorial representative offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relatives and friends health and success based on confidence in the righteousness of our cause. A low bow to the veterans!