Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov used his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UGNA) to deliver one of Moscow’s starkest warnings yet to the West, accusing NATO and the European Union of waging a real war against Russia.
He insisted Russia has never had and does not have plans to attack NATO countries. At the same time, Lavrov issued a direct threat that any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response and there should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU.
The warning comes amid heightened tension along NATO’s eastern flank. Estonia recently accused Russian jets of violating its airspace, and NATO forces shot down drones over Poland. The U.S. responded by telling the U.N. Security Council it would defend every inch of NATO territory.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in his own address to the General Assembly, warned that failing to stop Russia now would unleash the most destructive arms race ever.
Estonia has accused Russia of sending three fighter jets into its airspace in recent weeks. In a separate incident, Nato jets reportedly shot down Russian drones that entered Polish airspace. These actions have contributed to fears of further escalation between Russia and alliance members. Lavrov rejected claims of Russian plans to attack Nato or EU countries, saying, “Russia is being accused of almost planning to attack the North Atlantic Alliance and European Union countries. President Putin has repeatedly debunked these provocations.”