AMID renewed tensions between Moscow and NATO, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told world leaders that Russia “has never had and does not have” any plans to attack Europe, but warned that any military aggression against Russia would provoke a “decisive response”.
AP reported that Lavrov delivered his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, just days after NATO issued a warning following a spate of airspace intrusions allegedly involving Russian aircraft and drones.
The alliance has said these unauthorised flights, including incidents over Poland and Estonia, are being taken seriously and will be met with firm defence measures. Russia denies responsibility.
“Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions,” Lavrov said in reference to claims of aggressive military posture. “However, 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.”
Though Lavrov took aim at NATO and the European Union, his tone towards the United States was notably restrained. Reflecting on last month’s summit between Moscow and Washington, he described the meeting as a signal of “some hopes” for continued engagement. He said the Trump administration appears to be taking a “pragmatic” approach.
“In the approaches of the current U.S. 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,” said Lavrov.
In a news conference following his UN address, Lavrov said that even when U.S. and Russian interests diverge, “the most important thing is not to let it result in confrontation or collision, especially a hot confrontation.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking earlier this month, echoed similar sentiment, noting that Trump’s administration “is listening to us” and that a “mutual understanding” exists.
Despite this, Lavrov criticised what he called European diplomacy that merely “kisses up to their friends from Washington”, arguing that American support for Ukraine, coupled with economic sanctions, will not succeed.
The conflict in Ukraine, now in its fourth year following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, remains at the heart of strained global relations. U.S. President Donald Trump stated this week that he believes Ukraine can reclaim all of its occupied territory — a significant shift from earlier comments suggesting Ukraine may have to accept concessions.
Lavrov responded to this new outlook cautiously but left the door open for continued dialogue.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his own address to the assembly, reiterated his call for global support in ending Russia’s occupation, warning that inaction would place other nations at risk. “Ukraine is only the first,” he said.
On the crisis in the Middle East, Lavrov took a dual position. While condemning Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages, he also criticised Israel’s military response in Gaza.
“There is no justification for the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children,” he said. He also condemned any potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, accusing Israel of trying to dismantle long-standing UN resolutions supporting a Palestinian state.
“We are essentially dealing with an attempt at a kind of coup d’état aimed at burying UN decisions on the creation of a Palestinian state,” Lavrov said.
The war in Gaza, which has claimed more than 65,000 lives according to the Gaza Health Ministry, continues to polarise international opinion. Lavrov reiterated Russia’s backing for a two-state solution, which he said remains the only viable path to peace in the region.
With tensions escalating on multiple fronts — from Ukraine to the South Caucasus to the Middle East — Lavrov’s speech underscored Russia’s positioning as both defiant and open to selective dialogue, particularly with Washington.
As geopolitical rifts deepen, Russia appears determined to frame itself not as an aggressor, but as a nation besieged by Western hostility — while still seeking room for manoeuvre in diplomacy where mutual interests align. - September 28, 2025
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