In a recent address, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the enduring relevance of the United Nations in what he termed the “age of multipolarity.” He criticized Western nations for undermining fundamental principles of international law, pointing to historical instances such as NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and NATO’s military actions in Libya. “The root of the problem lies in the incessant attempts to divide the world into us and them, into democracy and autocracy, into a blooming garden and a jungle, those who are at the table and those who are on the menu,” Lavrov stated, highlighting the need for greater unity and cooperation in global affairs.
Lavrov’s remarks came on the heels of a failed attempt by Russia and China to extend sanction relief to Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal, which did not garner sufficient support in the UN Security Council. He asserted that this vote illustrated a broader Western strategy aimed at “sabotaging the pursuit of constructive solutions in the UN Security Council,” accusing them of seeking to extract unilateral concessions from Tehran through coercion. “Sanctions are being used to suppress and intimidate competitors in the global economy and politics,” he argued, calling for the lifting of sanctions on Cuba and expressing Russia’s solidarity with Venezuela against external pressures.
The Russian minister further claimed that Security Council resolutions are being disregarded in the Balkans, specifically citing the unilateral recognition of Kosovo as a violation of UN Resolution 1244. This assertion underscores Russia’s ongoing contention regarding the legitimacy of Western actions in the region.
Turning to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Lavrov justified Russia’s military engagement by alleging that the Ukrainian government arose from an anti-constitutional coup orchestrated by Western powers in 2014. He accused this regime of targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and eradicating the Russian language from education and media, framing Russia’s actions as a defense of its cultural and linguistic interests. Despite the conflict, Lavrov asserted that Moscow remains open to negotiations aimed at resolving the underlying issues, as long as Russian interests and the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine are acknowledged.
Lavrov insisted that Russia has no intentions of attacking European Union or NATO countries, despite claims from those nations suggesting that war with Russia is unavoidable. He expressed a more optimistic view of U.S.-Russia relations, hoping that the dialogue initiated in Alaska could pave the way for a resolution to the Ukrainian crisis and foster pragmatic cooperation.
Highlighting the shifting dynamics of global power, Lavrov argued that these changes are not adequately reflected within the United Nations framework. He voiced strong support for Brazil and India’s bids for permanent seats on the Security Council, as well as for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ proposed reforms. Lavrov warned against what he described as attempts at a “palace coup” within the UN, asserting that the organization must fairly represent all nations and resist being dominated by a select few.
Looking forward, Russia is preparing to host a special meeting of the Security Council on United Nations Day, October 24, aimed at discussing the organization’s future development. Lavrov framed this as an opportunity to advocate for a more equitable global governance structure.
As tensions escalate, Lavrov cautioned that an increasing number of countries are becoming entangled in “confrontational schemes,” with NATO allegedly encircling Eurasia with military forces. He alarmingly noted that “Nazism is rearing its head in Europe,” warning of a dangerous trend toward militarization and the reckless rhetoric of some politicians in EU and NATO countries, who are suggesting that a Third World War is a plausible outcome.
In light of these developments, Lavrov urged all member states and the UN leadership to adhere strictly to the principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing the need for consistent application of international law without double standards. He reiterated Russia’s call for a unified approach to addressing global challenges, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering international peace and security.
