Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Russian Minister Suggests Renaming Great Britain
A Russian minister named Sergei Lavrov said that Great Britain should be called just 'Britain' because it's the only country that calls itself 'Great'.
He mentioned that another country, the 'Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya', also used the word 'Great' but no longer exists.
In Russia, Great Britain is called 'Velikobritaniya'.
The minister made this comment while talking about colonialism and Greenland.
He also said that Britain is seen as a scheming power in Russia, trying to undermine Russian interests.
Britain and Russia have been accusing each other of spying, similar to the Cold War.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested renaming Great Britain to simply 'Britain'.
He argued that Great Britain is the only country to officially name itself 'Great'.
Lavrov mentioned the 'Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya' as another example.
In Russia, Great Britain is currently referred to as 'Velikobritaniya'.
The comment was made during a discussion on colonialism and Greenland.
- Who
- Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
- What
- Suggested renaming Great Britain to simply 'Britain'
- When
- Tuesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- During a press conference
- Why
- Because it's the only country to officially name itself 'Great'
- Person
- Sergei Lavrov
- Role
- Russian Foreign Minister
- Statement
- Britain should be called simply 'Britain'
- Reason
- Only country to officially name itself 'Great'
- Example Given
- Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
- Current Russian Term
- Velikobritaniya (Great Britain)
- Context
- Discussion on colonialism and Greenland
- Media Reference
- Perfidious Albion
