At the 2025 United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the assembly, asserting that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe. However, he warned that any aggression would be met with a “decisive response.”
Lavrov’s remarks come amid heightened tensions with NATO, particularly following reported airspace incursions, which Russia denies. He emphasized that Russia feels threatened and is prepared to defend itself.
The ongoing war in Ukraine remains a central issue. Lavrov criticized certain European nations for aligning too closely with U.S. policy and replacing diplomacy with sanctions. He also addressed the war in Gaza, condemning both Hamas’s October 2023 attacks on Israel and Israel’s response, which has resulted in massive Palestinian casualties.
In his speech, Lavrov struck a more conciliatory tone toward the United States, noting a mutual interest in continued diplomatic dialogue following a recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
