Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov utilized his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday to issue a significant warning to the West, alleging that NATO and the European Union are conducting a “real war” against Russia.
Lavrov commenced his speech with broad historical allusions to World War II, portraying Russia as the successor to the Soviet Union’s contribution in overcoming Nazism and safeguarding international sovereignty. He charged the U.S. with eroding those post-war tenets through its interventions in Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya, and cautioned that similar events are currently unfolding in the Middle East.
Although condemning the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, Lavrov stated that Israel’s military operation in Gaza constituted “collective punishment” of civilians, connecting the hostilities to what he characterized as a prolonged history of unrestrained Western use of force.
Lavrov asserted that NATO has disregarded numerous long-standing security commitments. He maintained that Russia has “never had and does not have” intentions to assault NATO member states, labeling Western alerts of a potential Russian offensive as “provocations.”
He identified statements by European leaders as “false portrayals” of Moscow’s aims, reiterating President Vladimir Putin’s denials that Russia harbors plans concerning or EU territory. Concurrently, Lavrov delivered a direct warning: “Any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU.”
This warning is delivered amidst escalating tensions along NATO’s eastern border. Estonia recently alleged that Russian jets breached its airspace, and NATO forces intercepted drones above Poland. The U.S. responded by informing the U.N. Security Council that it would “defend every inch of NATO territory.” In this context, Lavrov’s speech highlighted Moscow’s endeavor to characterize any confrontation with NATO as an existential danger to Russia itself.
The timing also coincides with a shift in U.S. rhetoric. A U.S. official, who held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week, has adopted a firmer stance on the conflict – informing reporters that Ukraine can and should reclaim all its territory.
This indicates a divergence from prior indications of readiness for negotiation, occurring over a month after U.S. and Russian officials conducted uncommon discussions in Alaska. Lavrov’s UN address appeared strategically designed to counter Trump’s updated position, serving as a reminder to Washington that Moscow perceives the war not as a remote conflict but as a direct confrontation involving the United States.
Meanwhile, another speaker, in their own address to the General Assembly, cautioned that failing to halt Russia now would instigate “the most destructive arms race ever.”
Lavrov reiterated his message at a press conference following the speech, addressing a question concerning Western suggestions to intercept Russian aircraft that could infringe on European airspace. He disregarded Trump’s previous comment that Russia was a “paper tiger,” pointing out that the president had already retracted it.
He then issued a strong admonition: “If there are attempts to down any flying object … over our territory, in our airspace, then I think people will very much regret it, undertaking such an egregious violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Lavrov additionally targeted U.S. sanctions on Iran, criticizing Western endeavors to reinstate or intensify restrictions as “illegal” and proof of what he described as Washington’s tactic of “blackmail and pressure.”
He claimed the West had undermined diplomatic pathways to revitalize the 2015 nuclear agreement and repudiated what he termed as manipulations within the U.N. Security Council aimed at isolating Tehran.
Beyond the European context, Lavrov presented Russia as aligned with an emerging “global majority” against Western supremacy, highlighting entities such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and African and Latin American demands for increased representation at the U.N. Security Council.
He accused Washington of employing sanctions and military alliances to maintain its dominance, simultaneously asserting that Russia was safeguarding the sovereignty of nations throughout the Global South.