In brief
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia does not intend to attack NATO or EU member states, while cautioning that any aggression toward Russia would elicit a 'decisive response.' Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov underscored growing Western threats and criticized Israeli actions in the ongoing conflict with Palestinians, amidst rising tensions in Europe and the Middle East.
Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says his country has no intention of attacking EU or NATO member states but warned of a 'decisive response' to any 'aggression' directed towards Moscow. In a wide-ranging speech delivered at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov stated that threats against Russia by Western countries were becoming 'increasingly common.' He criticized Israel for the violent actions against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting that there is 'no justification' for such aggression, while also addressing Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023.Lavrov pointed out the high casualties from Israeli strikes, noting that over 65,926 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. He condemned Israel's broader regional actions that threaten to destabilize the Middle East. Addressing the relationship with the United States, Lavrov acknowledged a lack of ideological constraints from the current U.S. administration that could help resolve the Ukrainian crisis pragmatically. However, he reiterated that any trends toward aggression against Russia would be met with a decisive response, emphasizing that Moscow has no military plans against NATO or the EU.Moreover, Lavrov responded to recent accusations from countries like Denmark and Estonia regarding airspace violations and drone incursions, dismissing any claims linking Russia to these incidents as unfounded provocations.