Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the West on Saturday that any aggression toward Moscow would be met with a “decisive response,” delivering the message during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.
Lavrov emphasized that Russia had no plans to attack NATO or European Union countries but insisted that it would act if provoked. “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,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing tensions in Eastern Europe following reports that Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace and drones were tracked over Poland and Romania. Lavrov dismissed claims that Moscow seeks to expand the conflict beyond Ukraine, asserting that President Vladimir Putin’s objective remains to contain the war within Ukrainian borders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has attributed recent drone and plane incursions in Europe to Russia, suggesting they aim to test defenses and undermine support for Kyiv ahead of winter. Moscow denies involvement in these incidents, including rogue drones near Danish airports, and maintains that it has not violated Polish or Estonian airspace.
Lavrov also addressed accusations from the West, calling warnings of a “third world war” exaggerated. He blamed NATO and the EU for “directly participating” in the conflict in Ukraine, while expressing hopes for continued dialogue with the United States. “We have some hopes for the continuation of the Russian-American dialogue, especially after the summit in Alaska,” he explained, noting ongoing discussions over embassy operations and potential ceasefire talks.
Russian forces captured three villages in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk, while Ukraine struck an oil facility in Russia’s Chuvashia region with drones. Overnight attacks in southeastern Ukraine killed one and injured 12, and railways in Odesa were damaged. Both sides blamed each other for a four-day blackout at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Lavrov warned that attempts to target Russian aircraft or drones over its territory would have serious consequences, emphasizing that those who violate Russian airspace would “very much regret” their actions.
