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 stated that threats against Russia by Western countries were becoming increasingly common.
He also criticized Israel, condemning the recent Hamas attacks while asserting that there was no justification for the brutal killings of Palestinians in Gaza.
Lavrov expressed strong opinions against Israeli actions, saying they risk exploding tensions in the region and stressed that any aggression against Russia would be met with a robust counter-response.
In discussing the broader political landscape, Lavrov addressed growing tensions in Europe, insisting that Russia does not intend aggression against NATO or EU states, refuting claims that it is planning an attack.
His comments arrive amidst various accusations against Russia, including allegations of drone invasions of other countries' airspace, which Lavrov denied, stating that foreign powers are misrepresenting Russia's actions.
Lavrov's remarks indicate a desire for diplomatic solutions while highlighting the complexity of Russia's relationships with both Western nations and Middle Eastern countries.