Lavrov Refutes Claims of Planning NATO, EU Attacks

(MENAFN) In a pointed address to the 80th UN General Assembly on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that Moscow has “never had, and does not have” any plans to launch attacks against NATO or the European Union, while warning that any act of aggression targeting Russia would be “decisively rebuffed.”

“We have repeatedly proposed to NATO capitals that they respect their commitments and agree on legally binding security guarantees. Our proposals have been ignored and continue to be ignored,” Lavrov stated.

His remarks come amid escalating tensions between Russia and Western powers. Lavrov criticized what he described as a growing trend of “threats to use force against Russia,” despite what he claimed were baseless accusations of Russian plans to strike NATO or EU member states.

“Moreover, threats to use force against Russia, which is accused of practically planning to attack NATO and EU countries, are becoming increasingly common,” he said.

Lavrov emphasized that President Vladimir Putin had “repeatedly debunked such provocations,” reiterating: “Russia has never had, and does not have, such intentions. However, any aggression against my country will be decisively rebuffed. There should be no doubt about this.”

Middle East Tensions and Palestinian Statehood
Turning to the Middle East, Lavrov accused global powers of enabling what he called a deliberate dismantling of international efforts to recognize Palestinian statehood.

He asserted the world is “witnessing an attempt at a coup d’etat aimed at burying the UN resolution on the creation of a Palestinian state.”

Lavrov condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza, citing the deaths of civilians, including children, and the destruction of infrastructure.

He stated there is “no justification” for Israel’s actions, criticizing the demolition of hospitals and schools and denouncing Israeli intentions to annex the West Bank. Lavrov also described Israeli policies as a form of “collective punishment” against the Palestinian population.

He further questioned the motives behind delayed Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, despite public commitments.

“Apparently, they hoped that soon there would be nothing and no one to recognize,” he said.

Iran and Nuclear Tensions
Lavrov also addressed Iran’s nuclear program, lambasting the West’s rejection of a China-Russia initiative in the UN Security Council to ease sanctions on Tehran.

He argued that the move revealed the West’s “policy of sabotaging the search for constructive solutions in the UN Security Council and its desire to extract unilateral concessions from Tehran through blackmail and pressure.”

Lavrov concluded, “We consider this policy unacceptable, and all Western manipulations to restore UN anti-Iran sanctions, as well as the sanctions themselves, are illegal.”

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