Russia's Lavrov Says US Discarding International Conventions, Pursuing Its Own Interests

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of discarding international conventions and pursuing its own interests at the expense of global stability, in remarks that underscore the deteriorating state of diplomatic relations between the two nuclear powers.

Speaking at an international forum, Lavrov pointed to the U.S. withdrawal from multiple international agreements — including arms control treaties, climate accords, and trade frameworks — as evidence that Washington views international law as optional when it conflicts with American priorities.

The criticism carries weight despite its source. While Russia's own record of international compliance is deeply flawed — its invasion of Ukraine violated the UN Charter, and its treatment of dissenters at home flouts human rights conventions — Lavrov's critique resonates in parts of the world where American exceptionalism is viewed as hypocrisy.

The specific examples Lavrov cited include the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Paris Climate Agreement (from which the U.S. has since rejoined and withdrawn again). He also pointed to unilateral sanctions regimes that he argued circumvent international trade law.

The broader context is a world in which the rules-based international order — built largely by the United States after World War II — is being challenged from multiple directions simultaneously. China, Russia, and a bloc of developing nations are increasingly pushing for reforms that would reduce American influence in international institutions.

What This Means For You: International conventions aren't abstract legal documents — they're the rules that govern trade, travel, environmental protection, and military conduct. When the U.S. discards them, it doesn't just damage its diplomatic standing; it removes protections that affect your daily life, from the safety standards on imported products to the rules governing how conflicts are resolved. The question isn't whether Lavrov is right (he has his own agenda). It's whether the international framework that protects your interests is being strengthened or weakened.