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How Sergei Lavrov Has Become a Widely Despised Figure

It wasn’t always so. Lavrov once knew how to balance his combative patriotism with collegiate charm.

Sergei Lavrov at United Nations headquarters September 21, 2010. AP/Richard Drew, file
BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

How the mighty have fallen. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov — once a widely admired, suave, smart, and even-keeled diplomat — is now for the most part despised, his public appearances increasingly unhinged.

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BENNY AVNI
BENNY AVNI

Benny Avni is a columnist who has published in the New York Post, WSJOpinion, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, Israel Radio, Ha’Aretz, and others. Once New York Sun, always New York Sun.

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