Russia Rejects Claims of Aggression Towards NATO and EU, Lavrov Asserts

Fri Oct 03 2025 02:59:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent speech at the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Russia has no intentions of attacking NATO or EU member states, while simultaneously addressing increasing tensions related to threats against Moscow.

During his address at the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov firmly stated that Russia does not plan to attack NATO or EU countries but warned of a strong response to any aggression towards Russia. He highlighted rising threats from Western nations and criticized Israeli actions in Gaza while addressing the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the implications for global diplomacy.

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 on Saturday, Lavrov stated that threats against Russia by Western countries were becoming increasingly common.

He also took aim at Israel, saying 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 maintained that its Gaza operation is necessary to defeat Hamas.

At least 65,926 people have been killed by Israeli strikes, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, while about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage in the 7 October attacks.

Lavrov decried Israeli aggression towards other countries in the Middle East, suggesting it threatened to blow up the region.

On Iran, Lavrov accused Western powers of sabotaging diplomacy after a last-minute bid led by Russia and China to delay sanctions being reimposed failed on Friday. He referred to the move as illegal as sanctions are set to come into force at 00:00 GMT on Sunday.

Discussing tensions in Europe, Lavrov remarked: Threats of force against Russia, accused of practically planning an attack on the North Atlantic Alliance [NATO] and the European Union, are becoming increasingly common. President Putin has repeatedly debunked such provocations.

He emphasized that Russia has never had and does not have such intentions, but any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.

Moscow has denied responsibility for reported drone activities over Denmark's airports, stating there was no evidence of Russian involvement. Meanwhile, Estonia accused Russia of violating its airspace with warplanes.

US President has even suggested NATO nations should shoot down Russian planes in their airspace, while NATO has warned it would use all necessary military and non-military tools to defend itself following recent military incursions.

Lavrov addressed the US-Russian relationship in his speech, noting a desire for pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance in resolving the Ukrainian crisis. He further critiqued the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by some countries, arguing that it seemed timed to coincide with a diminishing Palestinian presence.