Web Desk; At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reflected on history and urged the world to respect the principles of the UN Charter without exceptions or double standards.
Lavrov recalled that 80 years ago, World War II ended with more than 70 million lives lost. He emphasized that the sacrifice and unity of the Allies in 1945 changed the course of history and remain a reminder of the struggle against the forces of evil.
He underlined that the UN Charter remains the foundation of international cooperation, stressing the principle of sovereign equality for all states, regardless of military strength, population, or economy.
On current conflicts, Lavrov condemned the October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, but at the same time denounced the killings of Palestinian civilians, saying neither terrorism nor collective punishment could be justified.
He criticized Europeâs silence on what he described as discrimination against Russian speakers in Ukraine, noting that languages like Arabic and Hebrew coexist peacefully in the Middle East, while Russian is banned in Ukraine. He demanded the restoration of rights for Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, as a condition for discussing future security guarantees.
Lavrov also warned against NATOâs expansion beyond Europe into the Asia-Pacific, saying it undermines ASEAN mechanisms and threatens China, Russia, and regional stability.
Highlighting global cooperation, he pointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS as vital platforms for the Global South and East.
He cautioned against the resurgence of Nazism in Europe and the growing militarization under anti-Russian slogans, warning that some Western leaders openly discuss the possibility of World War III.
Lavrov concluded by urging all UN member states and the Secretariat to adhere strictly to the Charterâs principles, ensuring that the legacy of the UNâs founders is preserved.
