Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov used his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to call for urgent reforms of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and backed India and Brazil for permanent seats. He also launched sharp criticism at NATO, Western policies, and Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Push for UNSC Reform and Global South Representation
Lavrov argued that the UNSC no longer reflects the global balance of power, which has shifted significantly since the UN’s creation 80 years ago. He called for greater representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, describing it as essential to “democratise” the council.
“We support the applications of Brazil and India for permanent seats,” Lavrov said, emphasizing the growing influence of groupings like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in representing the Global South.”
He framed these developments as part of a “Global South awakening,” where emerging powers are demanding fairer roles in international decision-making.
Gaza and Palestine: “No justification for collective punishment”
Shifting to the Middle East, Lavrov condemned both Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israeli civilians and Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza.
“There is no justification for the brutal killings of civilians or terrorist attacks. But there is also no justification for the collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza, where children are dying from bombing and starvation,” he said.
He accused some Western governments of intentionally delaying recognition of Palestine and warned against Israeli plans to annex the West Bank, calling it an attempt to erase earlier UN decisions recognizing Palestinian statehood.
NATO, Ukraine, and Security Concerns
On the Ukraine war, Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s claim that Russia has always been open to negotiations and proposed legally binding security guarantees. However, he blamed Kyiv and Western allies for rejecting dialogue.
He also lashed out at NATO, accusing the alliance of trying to “militarily encircle Eurasia” and threatening Russia and China.
“Any aggression against Russia will be met with a decisive response. NATO and the EU should have no doubts about this,” Lavrov warned.
Stance on Iran, Kosovo, and Language Rights
Lavrov declared that all UN sanctions against Iran are “illegal” and criticized attempts to reinstate them. He also denounced the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, calling it a violation of UN resolutions.
In another sharp remark, he accused Ukraine of banning half of its population from speaking its native language, calling it a violation of fundamental rights.
Call Against Colonialism
Lavrov positioned his address within a broader anti-colonial narrative, highlighting that Asia, Africa, and Latin America are demanding more equitable treatment on the world stage. He proposed declaring December 14 as the Day of Struggle Against Colonialism.
Despite his fiery criticism of Western policies, Lavrov insisted that Russia’s push for UNSC reform was aimed at correcting imbalances, not overthrowing the global order.
“Russia advocates reforming the UN Security Council but does not campaign for a revolution against anyone,” he concluded.
Gaurav Chaudhary