Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has proclaimed that the country does not plan to attack European Union or NATO states, while cautioning about a decisive response to any aggression aimed at Russia.
In a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, he condemned the growing number of threats against Russia from Western nations.
Lavrov also criticized Israel for its actions during the recent Hamas attacks, highlighting the killings of Palestinians in Gaza and expressing disapproval of plans to annex the West Bank.
He reported that Israel’s military operations have resulted in significant casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry stating that at least 65,926 individuals had died from Israeli airstrikes. In retaliation for the October 7 attacks, Israel has intensified its military campaign targeting Hamas, which it justifies as necessary for national security.
Lavrov further expressed concern about Israeli aggression towards neighboring countries, warning that such conflicts could escalate tensions throughout the Middle East. Regarding Iran, he accused the West of undermining diplomatic relations, particularly after sanctions were imposed on Iran following failed negotiations.
Sitting alongside these discussions, he addressed the heightened military activities near Russia's borders and defended the nation's actions against accusations of aggression, reiterating that Russia harbors no intention to attack NATO.
Additionally, Lavrov reflected on the recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy and criticized the timing of international recognition of a Palestinian state, suggesting that it was politically motivated as the situation deteriorated.
