Russia tells UN: No intent to attack Europe, but aggression will get a 'decisive response'

As new tensions rise between Russia and NATO powers, Moscow's top diplomat insisted to world leaders Saturday that his nation doesn't intend to attack Europe but will mount a "decisive response" to any aggression.

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Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/ Pamela Smith)

(AP Photo/ Pamela Smith)

At the same time, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took a notably measured tone toward the United States in the wake of last month's summit between the countries' leaders.

Though they left without a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, Lavrov said Moscow had "some hopes" to keep talking with Washington, and he suggested his country sees U.S. President Donald Trump's administration as a practical-minded counterpart.

Lavrov spoke at the U.N. General Assembly after weeks in which unauthorized flights into NATO's airspace — intrusions the alliance blames on Russia — have raised alarm around Europe, particularly after NATO jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory and lingered for 12 minutes.