On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanded an immediate cessation of the killings of Palestinians facilitated by American weaponry, condemning what he described as Israel’s “mass collective punishment of Palestinians” as “unacceptable.” Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Lavrov expressed outrage over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, amplified by the deadly repercussions of the October 7 Hamas incursion, which has resulted in Israel killing more than 41,000 individuals, primarily women and children.
Lavrov urged for the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid and the restoration of critical infrastructure within Palestinian territories, stressing that the establishment of a viable Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is of paramount importance.
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, where extensive Israeli airstrikes continue and the alleged assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah took place, Lavrov labeled the destruction of communication devices as “inhumane” and called for a thorough investigation. He remarked, “It is impossible to ignore the numerous publications in the media, including in Europe and here in the US, which indicate some kind of involvement and at least awareness of Washington regarding the preparation of this terrorist attack.”
The minister further criticized the methods employed in Nasrallah’s assassination, calling it “extremely alarming” and part of a troubling trend in political assassinations.
Turning to Ukraine, Lavrov stated that Russia is open to a diplomatic resolution of the ongoing conflict, provided that it reflects the perspectives and proposals from all parties involved. He praised the “Friends of Peace” initiative supported by Brazil and China as a positive step towards resolution.
In his speech, Lavrov also accused the UN Secretariat of bias, asserting that it tends to introduce narratives favorable to Western interests, which undermines trust in the organization. He stated, “It is not too late to breathe new life into the UN, but this can only be achieved by restoring trust based on the fundamental principle of the sovereign equality of all states, rather than through unrealistic summits and declarations.”