Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says his country has no intention of attacking EU or NATO member states but warned of a decisive response to any aggression directed towards Moscow.
In a wide-ranging speech delivered at the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said threats against Russia by Western countries were becoming increasingly common.
He also took aim at Israel, declaring that while Russia condemned the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas, there was no justification for the brutal killings of Palestinians in Gaza, or for plans to annex the West Bank.
Israel has previously stated that its Gaza operation is necessary to defeat Hamas.
At least 65,926 people have been reported killed by Israeli strikes, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Lavrov criticized the aggression in the region, claiming it threatened to blow up the Middle East.
He accused Western powers of sabotaging diplomatic efforts regarding Iran, especially in the wake of sanctions set to be reimposed. Lavrov stressed that Russia does not plan any military aggression against Europe or NATO, yet emphasized that any hostile actions against Russia would elicit a firm response.
Lavrov's remarks come as geopolitical tensions continue to shape global diplomacy, particularly regarding military incursions and regional conflicts.
