As tensions escalate between Russia and NATO, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday. He emphasized that Russia does not plan to attack Europe but will respond decisively to any acts of aggression against it.

Lavrov's remarks come amid rising concerns over unauthorized flights into NATO airspace, which the alliance attributes to Russia. Recently, NATO jets intercepted drones over Poland, and Estonia reported that Russian fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes. Russia has denied these claims, asserting that its aircraft did not breach Estonian airspace and that the drones were not aimed at Poland. Belarus, a Russian ally, has suggested that Ukrainian signal-jamming caused the drones to stray off course.

European leaders view these incidents as deliberate provocations intended to test NATO's response. In light of this, NATO has warned Russia that it will take all necessary measures to defend against further violations of its airspace.

At the U.N., Lavrov insisted that Russia is the one facing threats. "Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions" of attacking European or NATO countries, he stated. "However, 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 comments come three years into the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community. U.S. President Donald Trump recently expressed confidence that Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Russia, marking a shift from his previous stance that suggested Ukraine might need to make concessions.

This change in tone followed a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Zelenskyy described their encounter as a "good meeting," contrasting it with a previous public disagreement between the two leaders. For the fourth consecutive year, Zelenskyy urged global leaders to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, warning that inaction could endanger other nations. "Ukraine is only the first," he cautioned.

Russia has cited various reasons for its invasion of Ukraine, including the need to secure its own safety in light of NATO's eastward expansion.

In addition to discussing Ukraine, Lavrov addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He condemned the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023, but also criticized Israel's military response, stating that there is "no justification" for the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children.

Lavrov also expressed opposition to any potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which Palestinians view as part of their future state. While Israel has not officially announced such a move, some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have advocated for it. Lavrov described the situation as an attempt to undermine U.N. resolutions regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The international community has long supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Netanyahu has rejected this idea, arguing that it would reward Hamas.