September 28, 2025 — United Nations, New York City — In a high-stakes speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a stern warning to the West, stating that any aggression against Russia would be met with a “decisive response.” Lavrov’s remarks come amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe and growing concerns over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Lavrov Responds to NATO and EU Militarism
Lavrov’s speech was marked by a firm rejection of what he described as militaristic rhetoric coming from NATO and European Union capitals, including remarks from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Lavrov specifically criticized growing talk of a World War III scenario, suggesting that such rhetoric was inflaming tensions.
In particular, Lavrov called out U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments endorsing the idea of shooting down Russian jets violating NATO airspace. Lavrov dismissed Trump’s rhetoric as unwarranted, emphasizing Russia’s unwillingness to escalate the situation further unless its sovereignty was directly threatened.
Lavrov also touched on the airspace incursions by Russia, including the recent violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets and the downing of Russian drones by NATO forces over Poland. Despite these incidents, Lavrov attempted to downplay their significance, stating that Russia had no plans to target NATO or EU nations directly with drones or missiles.
Russia’s Warning Over Airspace Violations
Lavrov emphasized that any attempt to down aircraft within Russian airspace would be seen as a serious violation of Russia’s territorial integrity. He warned that such actions would result in severe consequences for those who attempted to interfere with Russia’s sovereignty.
Russia’s Stance on Ukraine and the War’s Future
The Russian diplomat also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, reiterating Moscow’s position that Ukraine would never return to its pre-2022 borders, implicitly responding to Trump’s recent assertion that Ukraine could recapture all of its occupied land. Lavrov suggested that only those with a “political blindness” would still believe such a scenario was possible.
Lavrov Optimistic About Future Dialogue with the U.S.
Despite the tense rhetoric, Lavrov expressed hope for continued diplomatic engagement with the United States, especially under President Trump. The Russian minister pointed to ongoing discussions between Russian diplomats and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on improving embassy operations between the two countries, which have been strained due to years of diplomatic expulsions and other tensions.
Lavrov’s Concerns Over U.S. Military Actions Near Venezuela
In addition to addressing tensions with NATO, Lavrov voiced **alarm over U.S. military actions near Venezuela. He criticized the U.S. naval build-up around Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug cartels, warning that the situation was “very serious.” Lavrov expressed concerns that the U.S. could use a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution related to fighting gangs in Haiti to justify military action in Venezuela.
Kremlin Responds to Zelenskiy’s ‘Bomb Shelter’ Comments
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s recent threat to Russian officials, where Zelenskiy implied that they should know where the bomb shelters are, suggesting the Kremlin’s centers of power could be potential targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded with scorn, stating that Zelenskiy was trying to appear courageous while, in reality, Ukraine’s military position was deteriorating.
Peskov emphasized that Russia continues to hold significant territorial gains, controlling 19% of Ukraine, and that Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table was weakening by the day.
The State of the War and Diplomatic Tensions
While Russia continues to maintain its stance on Ukraine and NATO, its rhetoric at the United Nations signals its readiness to escalate if necessary, though Lavrov has emphasized Russia’s desire for dialogue. Despite the ongoing war, Moscow’s commitment to a diplomatic solution remains, even as it engages in tense exchanges with the West.
About the Author
