Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov turns 75 years old

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov celebrates his 75th birthday on March 21.

Lavrov's colleagues highly appreciate his professionalism, unsurpassed diplomatic acumen and personal qualities, said Alexey Prokin, a correspondent for Izvestia.

"What he instructs, what he says, what he pays attention to, do you think: "My God, it's obvious. Why did they pass by, why didn't we see it, why didn't we feel it ourselves?" Where does this fantastic freshness of sight and perception come from? I don't know. But, probably, it's also some kind of secret," said Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vulin also congratulated Lavrov on his birthday and called him a friend. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, told one of Lavrov's most important forecasts.

"He said that, probably, the level of conflicts of interests and the level of encroachment on Russia's interests has increased so much that this will inevitably lead to the need for us to take decisive measures to protect us and our interests," Peskov said.

Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko noted that Lavrov enjoys authority among colleagues and commands respect.

"Sergey Lavrov is one of those people who walk into a room with their authority in front of them," said Serbian film director Emir Kusturica.

The Foreign Minister is a connoisseur of art and also loves football.

"He rests when he works, and he works when he rests," said Rafik Nishanov, the first head of Lavrov, the USSR Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

"Russia is ready to use any means to protect its interests"

Interview of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with journalist Tucker Carlson. Key quotes

Earlier on March 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Lavrov the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. The Foreign Minister was awarded the Order for outstanding services to the Fatherland, a great contribution to the development and implementation of Russia's foreign policy, as well as many years of fruitful government activities.