Summary: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of eroding the international order, calling a reported U.S. operation to capture Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro a "gross violation of international law." He affirmed Russia's commitment to its Venezuelan agreements, warned that globalization and the global order are fragmenting, and said Moscow will continue implementing bilateral deals with Iran. Lavrov also welcomed dialogue on Ukraine, urging Washington to brief Moscow on any new peace proposals.
Lavrov Says U.S. Is 'Smashing' International Order Over Venezuela Raid and Iran Threats
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a press conference following talks with Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi in Moscow, Russia, January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Pool
MOSCOW, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States on Wednesday of undermining the international system, describing a reported U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a breach of international law and a sign of broader U.S. policy drift.
Lavrov said Russia remains committed to its agreements with Venezuela and criticised Washington for actions he said are fragmenting long-standing international institutions and norms.
"We are talking about a gross violation of international law," Lavrov said of the reported U.S. operation to capture Maduro, adding that such actions, together with other moves on the world stage, "indicate the line of our American colleagues to break the entire system that has been created for many years with their participation."
Speaking at a news conference with his Namibian counterpart in Moscow, Lavrov — who has been foreign minister since 2004 — warned that the global order and aspects of globalization "have been flushed down the drain" and are fragmenting.
FILE PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro before a military parade atteneded by foreign leaders on Victory Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025. Alexei Nikolsky/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
On reported U.S. threats to Iran, Lavrov said Moscow must continue implementing bilateral agreements with Tehran and that no third country can change the character of Russia–Iran ties. He suggested that by abandoning principles it once championed, the United States risks damaging its credibility abroad: "Our American colleagues look unreliable when they act in this way," he said.
Lavrov also responded to a Bloomberg report that White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, may seek to travel to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin. He noted that Putin has repeatedly said he is open to serious discussions about peace in Ukraine and said it would be useful for Washington to brief Moscow on any new peace proposals.
Reporting: Vladimir Soldatkin and Dmitry Antonov. Writing: Guy Faulconbridge and Anastasia Teterevleva. Editing: Andrew Osborn.
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