Lavrov Plans Namibia Talks as Moscow Confers With Belarus and Engages Azerbaijan on Asian Security

Overview

• Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed Iran and Venezuela by phone, rejecting external interference and voicing hope for a swift stabilization in Iran.
• The two ministers reviewed bilateral priorities and coordinated a schedule for upcoming high- and top-level engagements.
• Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Lavrov will meet Namibia’s Selma Ashipala-Musavyi in Moscow on January 14 to discuss expanding relations alongside regional and international issues.
• According to a TASS preview, the Namibia talks will target deeper political dialogue, stronger trade and humanitarian ties, and closer coordination in the UN and other multilateral forums.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko met Azerbaijan’s ambassador Rahman Mustafayev to advance cooperation within CICA, a 28-member Asian security forum based in Astana.