Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for the immediate release of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, condemned the use of force against Iran’s leadership and urged Washington to lift restrictions on Cuba during an address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. Lavrov also accused the United States and European governments of undermining European security and obstructing efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The U.N. confirmed Lavrov’s participation in the September 26 session of the General Debate.
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| Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an official portrait. Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry / CC BY 4.0 |
Lavrov Demands Maduro’s Release
Lavrov called for Maduro and his wife to be freed and said actions of that kind should not be repeated.
“We insist that Venezuelan leader Maduro and his spouse be liberated immediately and that such excesses do not come to be repeated,” Lavrov said.
Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in Venezuela earlier this year, an operation President Donald Trump defended during his own address to the U.N. General Assembly this week.
Lavrov Condemns Killing of Iran’s Leadership
Turning to Iran, Lavrov condemned the use of military force against the country’s political and military leadership.
“It is unacceptable that force was used to kill the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, members of the military and political leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Russia has maintained close diplomatic contacts with Tehran during the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Lavrov met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York on Thursday, with Moscow saying the two ministers supported a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Russia Calls for U.S. Restrictions on Cuba to Be Lifted
Lavrov also called on Washington to end restrictions on Cuba.
“We insist that the U.S. lift its siege on Cuba and lift all restrictions on trade with Cuba.”
His remarks came days after Trump used his own U.N. speech to intensify criticism of Cuba and defend Washington’s pressure campaign against Havana.
Lavrov Says Serbia Faces Pressure Over Russia Sanctions
Lavrov also addressed Serbia’s relationship with the European Union, saying Belgrade was being pressured to impose sanctions on Moscow in return for prospects of closer European integration.
“Serbia is basically being forced to impose sanctions against Russia in exchange for prospects of eurointegration.”
Serbia has sought E.U. membership while maintaining political and economic ties with Moscow and has resisted joining many Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Lavrov Accuses U.S. of Dismantling European Security
On the broader confrontation between Russia and the West, Lavrov accused Washington of dismantling Europe’s security architecture and creating what he described as a “Russophobic regime” in Kyiv.
“The U.S. has destroyed the European security system and created a Russophobic regime in Kyiv.”
The characterization reflects Moscow’s longstanding account of the origins of the Ukraine war. Ukraine and its Western partners reject that account and say Russia’s invasion is the central cause of the conflict and the deterioration of European security.
Lavrov Says Europe Is Trying to Derail Ukraine Peace Talks
Lavrov also accused European governments of trying to obstruct peace negotiations that he said the Trump administration wanted to pursue.
“Understanding how vain this is, Europe is doing everything it can to thwart peace talks in which the Trump administration is interested.”
Lavrov met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on September 23 for talks focused on the Ukraine conflict. Russia said after the meeting that it remained committed to achieving its objectives, including through a political and diplomatic settlement based on what Moscow calls the conflict’s “root causes.”
Earlier this week, Lavrov also told a U.N. Security Council meeting that Russia was prepared to negotiate a “sustainable and just peace” but would not suspend military operations during negotiations.
Russia Says Its War Objectives Will Be Achieved
Addressing the war directly, Lavrov said Moscow would achieve the objectives of what Russia calls its “Special Military Operation” and eliminate threats to Russian security.
“The objectives of our ‘Special Military Operation’ will be achieved and threats to our security will be eliminated.”
“Peace will reign again. This will happen despite anything that might happen.”
Russia has repeatedly said any settlement must address issues including Ukraine’s relationship with NATO, the status of Russian-controlled territory and the rights of Russian-speaking Ukrainians. Kyiv has rejected Russian demands that would require it to accept Moscow’s control over occupied territory or limit its sovereignty. Moscow and Washington have nevertheless maintained contacts over possible negotiations, including Lavrov’s meeting with Rubio this week.
Lavrov’s address came during the closing days of the 81st U.N. General Assembly’s high-level week, where the wars involving Ukraine and Iran dominated diplomatic meetings. Russia has continued talks with both Washington and Tehran in New York while maintaining that any settlement in Ukraine must address Moscow’s security demands.