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 from Western nations have been increasing. He also condemned the Israeli military actions in Gaza, expressing outrage over the civilian casualties and criticizing plans to annex the West Bank.
Lavrov highlighted that over 65,000 individuals have reportedly died due to Israeli air strikes, reaffirming Russia's stance against the use of military force in international conflicts. He noted that Israel's operations have jeopardized stability in the Middle East, warning that such aggression might escalate into broader regional conflict.
In relation to Iran, Lavrov accused Western powers of undermining diplomatic efforts by reinstating sanctions that Russia and China sought to delay. The foreign minister stressed that Russia possesses no aggressive intentions towards NATO or the European Union, yet insisted that any reciprocity to external threats would be met firmly.
Furthermore, Lavrov addressed the diplomatic tensions with the United States, underscoring the potential for cooperative solutions to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, while criticizing Western nations for their historical stances on the Palestinian statehood recognition.
