@ Petru - Audiatur et altera pars! --- Thank you Petru for reminding us of this paramount principle of natural law. It is a principle which ought to be the governing precept in conducting diplomatic relations.

The Latin maxim, 'Audi Alteram Partem' is the principle of natural justice where every person gets a chance of being heard. The meaning of the maxim itself says no person shall be condemned unheard. Hence, no case or judgment can be decided without listening to the point of another party.

Yes, Petru, the media in the West and apparently in Romania rarely quotes Lavrov. However, the tide has turned; and we ignore it at our collective peril.

Foreign Minister Lavrov made the Russian interests clear to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the recent OSCE (Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe) summit.

At the conference (in a pre-meeting dinner) Russian FM Lavrov steamrolled over Secretary Blinken in a semi-public disagreement on Ukraine and NATO. The most vivid report is in the UK’s Financial Times.

Blinken and Lavrov exchanged heated remarks, both speaking in English, while 50 delegates from the participating nations listened in silence.

Lavrov’s statements, referring to President Putin’s current remarks, set out a red-line demand with respect to the cessation of NATO’s eastward expansion threatening the security of Russia.

The seriousness of this situation and its consequences for global security merits deep consideration by all diplomats. FM Lavrov, the voice of the Republic of Russia, demanded an equitable voice on the diplomatic stage and warned that the voice of the Russian Federation will be heard.

Source author: John D. Hipsley jhipsley@igc.org