Russia’s overseas minister Sergei Lavrov says his nation has no intention of attacking EU or Nato member states however warned of a “decisive response” to any “aggression” directed in direction of Moscow.
In a wide-ranging speech delivered on the UN Basic Meeting on Saturday, Lavrov stated threats in opposition to Russia by Western international locations had been changing into “more and more widespread”.
He additionally took intention at Israel, saying that whereas Russia condemned the 7 October 2023 assaults by Hamas, there was “no justification” for the “brutal killings” of Palestinians in Gaza, or for plans to annex the West Financial institution.
Israel has beforehand stated its Gaza operation is critical to defeat Hamas.
Not less than 65,926 folks have been killed by Israeli strikes, in accordance with the Hamas-run well being ministry, whereas about 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage within the 7 October assaults.
He decried Israeli aggression in direction of different international locations within the Center East which threatened to “blow up” the area.
Israel has used its mission to get rid of Hamas with the intention to justify air strikes on different Center Jap international locations, including Qatar.
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. The Russian overseas minister stated the transfer was “unlawful”.
The sanctions got here into drive at 00:00 GMT on Sunday.
Talking about tensions in Europe, Lavrov stated: “Threats of drive in opposition to Russia, accused of virtually planning an assault on the North Atlantic Alliance [Nato] and the European Union, have gotten more and more widespread. President Putin has repeatedly debunked such provocations.
“Russia has by no means had and doesn’t have such intentions, however any aggression in opposition to my nation shall be met with a decisive response.”
Moscow has denied accountability after Denmark said drones were flown over its airports. Denmark itself has stated the incidents seemed to be the work of a “skilled actor” however that there was no proof of Russian involvement.
In the meantime, Estonia has accused Russia of violating its airspace with warplanes, whereas a Nato air defence mission was recently carried out over Poland as a part of an allied response to Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace.
US President Donald Trump has gone so far as to say that Nato nations ought to shoot down Russian planes of their airspace, whereas Nato itself has warned it might use “all obligatory army and non-military instruments” to defend itself following the latest army incursions.
Trump has also appeared to shift his position on Russia’s war with Ukraine, saying this week that Kyiv can “win all of Ukraine again in its unique type”.
Lavrov addressed the US-Russian relationship in his speech on Saturday, saying: “Within the approaches of the present US administration, we see a need not solely to contribute to methods to realistically resolve the Ukrainian disaster, but additionally a need to develop pragmatic cooperation with out adopting an ideological stance.”
In an extra criticism of the West, Lavrov questioned the timing of latest recognition by some countries, including the UK and France, of a Palestinian state – saying that it appeared they’d waited so lengthy as a result of they hoped “there could be nobody and nothing left to recognise”.
