As 2017 nears its end, RT is about to have a sit down with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the man charged with the hard job of steering the Russian diplomatic ship through the rough waters of current global politics.

2017 was arguably one of the most turbulent in recent years for diplomatic efforts, and much of that came from Washington. Hopes for a thaw in US-Russia relations under President Donald Trump are now gone as he is besieged by accusations of colluding with the Kremlin, and his foreign policy becomes more and more aggressive. From belligerent exchanges of insults with North Korea to challenging even America’s closest allies with the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Washington’s actions are perceived as increasingly disruptive in Moscow (as well as other capitals).

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The crisis on the Korean Peninsula saw neither the US nor North Korea showing any signs of yielding to each other’s demands. An escalation, possibly to outright war, is now feared, so Moscow seeks China’s help to deflate the tensions and bring the stubborn parties to the negotiating table.

Arguably, the only high point for US-Russia relations in 2017 was an unshared victory in Iraq and Syria, where Islamic State seems to have finally been defeated. Both countries, however, remain riddled by internal divisions, while Moscow and Washington are at odds regarding Syria’s future. Russia has managed to cooperate with Washington’s estranged ally Turkey and longtime enemy Iran over Syria, which adds complexity to the already difficult situation.

Another potential conflict is brewing over US animosity with Iran and the Trump administration’s apparent intention to bury the Obama-era nuclear deal. The 2015 agreement was brokered with the help of leading powers, including Russia, which are not happy to see it fall apart due to apparent US partisanship.

RT will ask Russia’s master diplomat about all these issues and many more in an exclusive interview on Monday, December 25. Tune in at 8am GMT to see the conversation with Sergey Lavrov live.

WATCH RT'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV