Lavrov says Russia will achieve aims in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the United Nations General Assembly that Russia would achieve its military aims in Ukraine and accused European countries of obstructing peace talks backed by the Trump administration, restating Moscow’s position as the war continued. In his address in New York on September 26, Lavrov said the threat to Russian security would be eliminated and that Russia’s objectives would be met regardless of circumstances. He used Moscow’s term for the invasion, which began in February 2022, and argued that Europe was trying to thwart negotiations. The claims about Europe’s role and Russia’s stated aims were Lavrov’s assertions; the speech itself did not establish the status or prospects of any specific peace initiative. Lavrov also opposed Germany’s bid for permanent membership on the UN Security Council, saying the body should not add seats for Western countries. He argued that reform should instead give greater representation to developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Permanent membership changes require agreement among the council’s existing permanent members, according to the account of his remarks.