Sergei Lavrov

Lavrov was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation by President Vladimir Putin. He succeeded Igor Ivanov and became the longest-serving Russian foreign minister in the post-Soviet era.

Lavrov defended Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine at the United Nations and in international forums. He argued that the move was legal under international law and protected ethnic Russians.

Lavrov led diplomatic efforts to support the Assad government in Syria. He negotiated with the US and other powers, securing Russia's military intervention and shaping the political settlement process.

Lavrov justified Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to the international community. He faced widespread condemnation and sanctions, and Russia was isolated in many international organizations.