MOSCOW (Realist English). July 2026 became a month of intensive contacts and sharp statements for Russian diplomacy, against the backdrop of the ongoing war with Ukraine, escalation in the Persian Gulf, and preparations for major international forums.
Moscow consistently operates from three positions: criticism of Western military aid to Kyiv, reaffirmation of commitment to the “Anchorage agreements” with the US, and strengthening ties with China, Africa, and the Global South.
Lavrov’s Warning at the Rubio Meeting
On July 23, in Manila, on the sidelines of ASEAN events, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The talks lasted 35 minutes and were the first direct contact between the foreign ministers of the two countries after a long hiatus.
Lavrov stated the “inadmissibility of further arms supplies” to Ukraine and that European countries continuing to arm Kyiv are pursuing a “destructive policy aimed at Russia’s strategic defeat.”
The Russian foreign minister also stressed Moscow’s readiness for a “political and diplomatic settlement” of the conflict and reaffirmed commitment to the proposals put forward by the US at the meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2025.
Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue contacts “at the level of foreign ministries, particularly within the framework of the two countries’ participation in the work of international organisations.” Rubio himself called the conversation “good and candid,” while noting that “peace will only come through some new idea and new concepts.”
“Coalition of the Willing” — Legitimate Targets
On July 15, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made a resonant statement that the deployment of any military contingents from countries of the so‑called “coalition of the willing” on Ukrainian territory would be regarded by Moscow as “foreign intervention.”
Such units, Zakharova stressed, would become “legitimate military targets” for the Russian armed forces.
European Vector: “Dialogue Impossible Without a Change of Course”
Throughout the month, Moscow harshly criticised European countries. Zakharova stated that Europe is doing everything possible to prevent contacts with Russia, despite its declared interest in dialogue. A return to dialogue, according to the diplomat, is possible only if Europe abandons its “unfriendly and aggressive Russophobic actions.”
On July 21, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the ambassadors of the UK, Germany, and France had not requested new meetings with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Lavrov, in turn, warned Europe of the consequences of a possible attack on Russia: “If they once again, having gathered all of Europe under well‑known banners, try to attack us, it will no longer be a conventional war.”
Russia Does Not Supply Weapons to Iran
On July 22, Lavrov denied Western claims that Russia and China were allegedly supplying weapons to Iran for attacks on US targets. The Russian foreign minister called these rumours “simply awkward.”
Russia “strongly advocates” for an end to the conflict around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Lavrov said. Earlier, on July 14, Moscow called the resumption of US strikes on Iran a violation of the previously signed memorandum of understanding.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman expressed “extreme concern” over the resumption of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, noting that the “unpredictable course of events threatens the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
Inter‑Ministry Consultations in Moscow
On July 22, Russia‑Iran inter‑ministry consultations on bilateral and regional issues were held in Moscow.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, for his part, said that the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, like his father, advocates expanding relations with Russia.
Africa: Preparing for the Third Summit
One of the key areas of Russia’s foreign policy in July was Africa.
In the first half of July, Lavrov made a large‑scale African tour, visiting Ethiopia, Niger, Mozambique, and Burundi.
In Niamey (Niger), the Russian foreign minister took part in a ministerial meeting of Russia — the Sahel States Alliance (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), where he conveyed to the leaders of the three countries an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming summit.
Russia‑Africa Summit in Moscow
The third Russia‑Africa Summit will be held in Moscow on October 28–29, 2026. As Lavrov stated on July 16, priority topics at the summit will include:
- artificial intelligence and the digital economy;
- mutual settlements in alternative currencies relative to the major Western reserve currencies;
- food security — not only expanding exports of Russian food and fertilisers but also establishing their production directly on the African continent.
The summit agenda, according to Lavrov, will be closely tied to the African Union’s “Agenda 2063” — the document defining the continent’s long‑term development directions.
China: 25th Anniversary of the Treaty of Good‑Neighbourliness
July marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Russian‑Chinese Treaty of Good‑Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation.
On July 16, Maria Zakharova stated that the treaty had become a “formula of friendship” for the two countries. According to her, Russia and China are building relations on the “creation of their own space of security and development,” stressing that the cooperation is not directed against third countries.
On July 14, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea that Russia is China’s “junior partner,” calling such characterisations “absolutely erroneous.” Relations, according to him, are built on the “principle of equality.”
On July 18, a meeting was held in St Petersburg between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration. The sides discussed cooperation in AI and confirmed the mutual trust and friendship between the leaders of the two countries as a “fundamental guarantee” for the development of relations.
On July 21, it became known that the visa‑free regime for Chinese citizens had been extended.
North Korea: Shift on Denuclearisation
On July 22, Lavrov made a statement signalling a fundamental shift in Moscow’s position on the Korean Peninsula. Russia will no longer join international calls to ensure the denuclearised status of North Korea.
The Russian foreign minister explained that in the current environment, where “aggressive actions are unfolding around North Korea with the clear aim of deterrence and even provocation,” Moscow considers it impossible to support denuclearisation demands.
Russia is effectively distancing itself from the long‑standing line enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions and is acknowledging the ineffectiveness of the previous approach.
Azerbaijan: “Filling the Pause” in Relations
On July 17, Lavrov held talks in Moscow with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. The sides agreed to work on “filling the pause” that had emerged in bilateral relations in recent months.
Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had spoken of “full normalisation” of relations with Russia.
However, on July 22, Aliyev said in an interview with German media that Russia, due to damage to its refineries caused by Ukrainian drone strikes, is “no longer able to supply oil and gas even to its traditional partners in the same volumes.” Azerbaijan, according to him, could increase oil supplies to Europe.
Preliminary Results
July 2026 demonstrated that Russian foreign policy remains multipolar and pragmatic. Moscow continues dialogue with Washington while simultaneously deepening its strategic partnership with Beijing, strengthening ties with Tehran, and actively working to expand its influence in Africa.
The rejection of support for North Korea’s denuclearised status signals a revision of previous approaches, while preparations for the third Russia‑Africa Summit should become an important milestone in strengthening the country’s position on the continent.
In the coming months, key events will include the autumn session of the State Duma, where new laws will be considered, and the October summit in Moscow, which, according to the Kremlin’s plans, should give a “new impetus” to Russian‑African relations.
