Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, has declared that Moscow has no intention of attacking NATO or EU member states but cautioned that any act of aggression against Russia would trigger a “decisive response”.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Lavrov accused Western nations of spreading unfounded claims about Russian military plans while increasing their own threats against Moscow.
“Russia has never had and does not have such intentions, but any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response,” he said.
Lavrov also turned his criticism toward Israel, condemning the October 2023 Hamas attacks but insisting that the ongoing military campaign in Gaza and plans to annex the West Bank had “no justification.” He accused Israel of endangering regional stability by extending its air strikes beyond Gaza, claiming such actions risked “blowing up” the Middle East.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 65,900 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, while Israel maintains its operations are necessary to dismantle Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during its October assault.
On Iran, Lavrov denounced the reimposition of sanctions as “illegal”, blaming Western powers for derailing last-minute diplomatic efforts led by Russia and China to delay enforcement. The measures came into effect at midnight on Sunday.
His remarks came amid heightened tensions in Europe, with Denmark reporting drone activity over its airports, Estonia accusing Russia of airspace violations, and NATO responding to drone incursions into Polish territory. The U.S. has signalled a tougher stance, with President Donald Trump urging allies to shoot down Russian planes violating their airspace.
Despite the strained atmosphere, Lavrov suggested Moscow was open to pragmatic engagement with Washington: “In the approaches of the current US administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance.”
Lavrov also questioned the motives behind recent recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, France, and others, suggesting the timing was a bid to act only when “there would be no one and nothing left to recognise.”
The speech underscores Moscow’s effort to portray itself as under siege by Western powers while simultaneously projecting readiness to retaliate if provoked.
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