Russia’s Foreign Minister Asked How He Was At UN. His ‘Biological’ Quip Is One For The Books

Last Updated:September 25, 2025, 17:35 IST

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis share a viral lighthearted moment at the UN.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis are seen. (Image Credit: X)

A lighthearted exchange between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly has gone viral. In a short video widely shared on social media, the two diplomats are seen shaking hands before beginning their talks. When Ignazio Cassis asked how he was doing, Sergey Lavrov smiled and replied, “I am fine- in biological terms.”

The offbeat remark drew laughter online, with many social media users noting the rare moment of levity during the tense High-level Week in New York. Sergey Cassis, himself a trained physician, responded, “This is a good answer, for a medical doctor.”

Sergey Lavrov then joked back, “I thought you were mentioning Ursula von der Leyen.”

Despite the viral moment, the meeting brought to fore worsening ties between Moscow and Bern. According to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement, Sergey Lavrov told Ignazio Cassis that Switzerland had forfeited its standing as a neutral mediator by pursuing what Moscow described as “unfriendly” policies.

“The Russian side emphasized that Switzerland has lost the status of a respected neutral mediator. The unfriendly policy course toward Russia being pursued by the [Swiss] Confederation cannot but be taken into account in building the Russian policies toward Switzerland,” the ministry said.

The ministers also discussed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), ahead of Switzerland’s chairmanship in 2026. Moscow described the OSCE’s current state as “dire,” claiming its role in maintaining security and cooperation had significantly diminished.

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