Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov used profanity during an embassy roundtable attended by journalists from several countries. According to the Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on settling the situation around Ukraine.
A clip from the event circulated widely on social media and in the press, showing Lavrov swearing shortly before a journalist from Yemen was due to ask a question. The video suggests that after his opening remarks and before the Q&A session began, the minister briefly turned aside and exchanged a few words with his deputy, Mikhail Galuzin, who was seated to his right.
Galuzin’s words cannot be made out on the recording, but Lavrov’s response is clearly audible. “You figured it out. That’s already good… No, to hell with it, it’s all over already,” the minister said in response to his deputy’s remark.
Almost at the same moment, the moderator gave the floor to a representative of Yemen, after which Lavrov clarified who would be asking the question. Several pro-Kremlin Russian Telegram channels claimed that the profanity had been aimed at the Yemeni journalist.
However, the broadcast recording does not show that the remark was directed at him. The published footage does not make clear what exactly the minister was reacting to.
This was not the first time Lavrov has used coarse language in public. He has previously drawn attention for the remarks “Go talk to the peacocks” and “Morons, fuck,” both made during public appearances.