At UNGA, Russia's Lavrov delivers starkest warning to Nato and EU amid brewing tensions | Watch

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered one of the starkest warnings to the West yet. While addressing the international event on Saturday, the Russian foreign minister accused Nato and the European Union of waging “real war” against Russia.

Lavrov opened his address with a historical reference to World War II, positioning Russia as the heir to the Soviet Union. He went on to accuse the US of dismantling postwar principles through interventions in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Libya, and warned that the same was happening today in the Middle East.

The Russian leader also slammed Israel for its campaign in Gaza, linking the conflict to what he portrayed as decades of unchecked Western use of force. Lavrov went on to accuse Nato of ignoring decades of security commitments. He maintained that Russia has “never had and does not have” plans to attack NATO countries, calling Western warnings of a Russian offensive “provocations.”

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Lavrov denies Russian incursion

During his UNGA speech, the veteran Russian diplomat singled out claims by European leaders as “false portrayals” of Moscow’s intentions. He echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denials that Russia plans to strike Nato or attack any territory of the European Union.

At the same time, he also issued a direct threat to the West. “Any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU.”

Lavrov’s warning came amid tensions along NATO’s eastern flank as Russian drones entered the Estonian, Polish and Romanian airspace. Meanwhile, the United States responded by telling the UNSC that it would “defend every inch of NATO territory.” The Russian diplomat’s speech also came amid a recent shift in the stance of US President Donald Trump.

Trump, who met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UNGA, hardened his tone against Russia over the war, telling reporters that Ukraine can and should reclaim all its territory. This marked a departure from Trump’s previous stance when he said that Ukraine might have to sacrifice some of its territory to Russia to ensure a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

In his own address at the UNGA, Zelenskyy warned that failing to stop Russia now would unleash “the most destructive arms race ever.” Lavrov reiterated his stance on the matter at a press conference held after his address.

He dismissed Trump’s earlier remark that Russia was a “paper tiger,” noting that the president had already walked it back. When asked about Western calls to shoot down Russian aircraft that might violate European airspace, Lavrov said: “If there are attempts to down any flying object … over our territory, in our airspace, then I think people will very much regret it, undertaking such an egregious violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”