What happened
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly, criticizing the US and its Western allies as warmongers. He accused them of seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia and defended his country's actions in Ukraine. Lavrov also condemned US military actions in Venezuela and Iran, and quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks on Western hegemony.
Lavrov's speech was part of a broader effort to drive a wedge between the US and Europe, and to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He claimed that the West was prolonging the war by arming Kyiv and targeting civilian infrastructure. However, his statements were met with skepticism, given Russia's own record of attacking Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.
The Russian foreign minister's address came after President Donald Trump called for an end to the war in Ukraine during his own speech to the UN. Trump also mentioned the possibility of annihilating Iran, which Lavrov condemned as an example of Western aggression. The exchange reflects the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over the conflict in Ukraine.
