Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia has repeatedly said that is not going to attack Western countries and warned that any European military aggression against Russia would trigger a war that will be “completely different” and “very short”.&nbsp;Speaking at the International Youth Festival in the city of Yekaterinburg, Lavrov said Russian officials had over and over again stated that Moscow had no intention of attacking Europe and has “no interest in doing so.”“Russia has repeatedly said that we are not going to attack Western countries and have no interest in doing so. But if Europe, which speaks regularly about preparing for war against Russia, attacks the Russian Federation, then this will be a completely different war, and it will be very short,” he stressed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-military-commanders-from-us-israel-and-7-arab-nations-held-secret-meeting-on-iran-war-1789503060237">Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War</a>&nbsp;Lavrov criticised NATO expansion and Brussels’ war rhetoric while emphasising that confrontation was not Russia’s method, a position that had been repeatedly stated by the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin personally.“The West made a choice long ago in favour of containing Russia,” he said, citing what he described as NATO’s “forceful” expansion toward Russia’s borders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-carried-out-over-350-airstrikes-on-yemen-violated-sovereignty-say-houthis-1789491294418">‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official</a>&nbsp;The foreign minister also criticised statements by European leaders about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, saying the issue had become a major theme among current European political leaders in Brussels.&nbsp;Lavrov slammed European leaders in Brussels for mainstreaming rhetoric about preparing for war with Moscow.He said Europeans are openly discussing plans to deploy some kind of mobilisation force on Ukrainian territory, seeking to preserve “the openly Nazi and Russophobic regime” there.\&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imran-khan-s-sons-accuse-asim-munir-of-holding-personal-grudge-against-imprisoned-father-1789484359759">Imran Khan’s sons accuse Asim Munir of holding ‘personal grudge’ against imprisoned father</a>&nbsp;Earlier speaking at a roundtable on Ukraine on Tuesday, Lavrov said that the objectives of the “special operation” remained unchanged from the outset that Russia wants to ensure its own security, prevent NATO from appearing on its borders, and protect the legitimate rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people.&nbsp;The International Youth Festival is taking place from September 11th to 17th in Yekaterinburg.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticised the statements made by European leaders about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, saying the issue had become a major theme among current European political leaders in Brussels.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia has repeatedly said that is not going to attack Western countries and warned that any European military aggression against Russia would trigger a war that will be “completely different” and “very short”. Speaking at the International Youth Festival in the city of Yekaterinburg, Lavrov said Russian officials had over and over again stated that Moscow had no intention of attacking Europe and has “no interest in doing so.” “Russia has repeatedly said that we are not going to attack Western countries and have no interest in doing so. But if Europe, which speaks regularly about preparing for war against Russia, attacks the Russian Federation, then this will be a completely different war, and it will be very short,” he stressed. Also Read: Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War Lavrov criticised NATO expansion and Brussels’ war rhetoric while emphasising that confrontation was not Russia’s method, a position that had been repeatedly stated by the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin personally. “The West made a choice long ago in favour of containing Russia,” he said, citing what he described as NATO’s “forceful” expansion toward Russia’s borders. Also Read: ‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official The foreign minister also criticised statements by European leaders about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, saying the issue had become a major theme among current European political leaders in Brussels. Lavrov slammed European leaders in Brussels for mainstreaming rhetoric about preparing for war with Moscow. He said Europeans are openly discussing plans to deploy some kind of mobilisation force on Ukrainian territory, seeking to preserve “the openly Nazi and Russophobic regime” there.\ Also Read: Imran Khan’s sons accuse Asim Munir of holding ‘personal grudge’ against imprisoned father Earlier speaking at a roundtable on Ukraine on Tuesday, Lavrov said that the objectives of the “special operation” remained unchanged from the outset that Russia wants to ensure its own security, prevent NATO from appearing on its borders, and protect the legitimate rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people. The International Youth Festival is taking place from September 11th to 17th in Yekaterinburg.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticised the statements made by European leaders about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, saying the issue had become a major theme among current European political leaders in Brussels.

War will be ‘completely different and very short’ if Europe attacks Russia, warns Lavrov

EAM Dr S Jaishankar has strongly raised India's concerns over the safety of its seafarers, following the deaths of four Indian nationals in a Russian missile strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue during bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN FMs meet in Manila, emphasising the need to protect civilian merchant mariners operating in high-risk zones.The deaths occurred on 19 July when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, carrying grain from Ukraine's Odesa port, was hit by Russian cruise missiles. Of the 17 crew members, five were Indian; four died, and one was critically injured. India swiftly summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, to the Ministry of External Affairs, conveying "grave concerns" and a strong condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping. The Kremlin responded that it remained in touch with Indian partners, noting that its forces target vessels involved in transporting ammunition or weapons for Ukraine.In the wider bilateral meeting, the two sides discussed various aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Indian readout said they "discussed various aspects of our partnership, including trade &amp; investment, energy &amp; connectivity, science &amp; technology, and mobility".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-russia-ukraine-war-is-reshaping-energy-flows-food-prices-defence-spending-and-india-s-strategy-wion-decodes-1783337395169">How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes</a>Both countries are aiming to push bilateral commerce towards a $100 billion target. Energy cooperation, connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route, science and technology initiatives, and greater mobility of skilled professionals remain key elements of ties.The ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the volatile situation in the Gulf/West Asia.India reiterated its consistent position favouring dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, while stressing the protection of sea lanes and civilian lives.The talks come ahead of the BRICS Summit, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later in 2026. The grouping, now expanded, offers a platform for both nations to advance multipolar cooperation on economic resilience and global governance.

The deaths occurred on 19 July when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, carrying grain from Ukraine's Odesa port, was hit by Russian cruise missiles. Of the 17 crew members, five were Indian; four died, and one was critically injured.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar has strongly raised India's concerns over the safety of its seafarers, following the deaths of four Indian nationals in a Russian missile strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue during bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN FMs meet in Manila, emphasising the need to protect civilian merchant mariners operating in high-risk zones. The deaths occurred on 19 July when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, carrying grain from Ukraine's Odesa port, was hit by Russian cruise missiles. Of the 17 crew members, five were Indian; four died, and one was critically injured. India swiftly summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, to the Ministry of External Affairs, conveying "grave concerns" and a strong condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping. The Kremlin responded that it remained in touch with Indian partners, noting that its forces target vessels involved in transporting ammunition or weapons for Ukraine. In the wider bilateral meeting, the two sides discussed various aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Indian readout said they "discussed various aspects of our partnership, including trade & investment, energy & connectivity, science & technology, and mobility". Also read | How Russia-Ukraine war is reshaping energy flows, food prices, defence spending and India’s strategy | WION Decodes Both countries are aiming to push bilateral commerce towards a $100 billion target. Energy cooperation, connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route, science and technology initiatives, and greater mobility of skilled professionals remain key elements of ties. The ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the volatile situation in the Gulf/West Asia. India reiterated its consistent position favouring dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, while stressing the protection of sea lanes and civilian lives. The talks come ahead of the BRICS Summit, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later in 2026. The grouping, now expanded, offers a platform for both nations to advance multipolar cooperation on economic resilience and global governance.

The deaths occurred on 19 July when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, carrying grain from Ukraine's Odesa port, was hit by Russian cruise missiles. Of the 17 crew members, five were Indian; four died, and one was critically injured.

India’s EAM Jaishankar voices ‘strong concern’ over seafarer safety in talks with Russian FM Lavrov

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on Saturday (September 23), said at a press conference that the peace deal proposed by Ukraine and the latest UN proposals to restore the Black Sea grain initiative were both "not realistic."

"It is completely not feasible," Lavrov said of a 10-point peace blueprint promoted by Kyiv. "It is not possible to implement this. It's not realistic and everybody understands this, but at the same time, they say this is the only basis for negotiations."

He then said that the dispute would be resolved on the battlefield if Ukraine and its Western allies stood by that stance.

Lavrov further elucidating Moscow's reasons behind leaving the Black Sea grain initiative, said that promises made to Russia, which included removing sanctions on a Russian bank and reconnecting it to the global SWIFT system, were not met.

He said the latest U.N. proposals to revive that export corridor for Ukrainian agricultural products were "simply not realistic".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-army-breaks-through-russian-lines-in-south-says-general-638953">Ukrainian army breaks through Russian lines in south, claims general</a>

<h2>Lavrov accuses West of direct fighting in Ukraine</h2>

Lavrov also accused Western countries of direct fighting with Russia through their support to Ukraine.

He said that the Western powers had effectively entered direct war against Moscow by backing Ukraine.

"You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us. We call it a hybrid war, but that doesn't change things," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations. &nbsp;

<h2>Zelensky urges member nations to strip Russia of veto power in UNSC; Lavrov responds</h2>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (September 20) denounced the Russian invasion, calling it 'criminal' and urged other member nations to strip Moscow of its veto power.&nbsp;

“We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matter of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the U.N. when it comes to the defence of the sovereign border of nations,” he said.

"Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a deadlock. It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor," Zelensky continued.

After Zelensky's speech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended his country's veto power in the UNSC as a "legitimate tool" of international relations.

"The use of veto is an absolutely legitimate tool laid out in the (UN) Charter," said Lavrov.&nbsp;

The Russian leader also accused the US and its allies of “egregiously and openly” interfering in the domestic affairs of Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on Saturday (September 23), said at a press conference that the peace deal proposed by Ukraine and the latest UN proposals to restore the Black Sea grain initiative were both "not realistic.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on Saturday (September 23), said at a press conference that the peace deal proposed by Ukraine and the latest UN proposals to restore the Black Sea grain initiative were both "not realistic." "It is completely not feasible," Lavrov said of a 10-point peace blueprint promoted by Kyiv. "It is not possible to implement this. It's not realistic and everybody understands this, but at the same time, they say this is the only basis for negotiations." He then said that the dispute would be resolved on the battlefield if Ukraine and its Western allies stood by that stance. Lavrov further elucidating Moscow's reasons behind leaving the Black Sea grain initiative, said that promises made to Russia, which included removing sanctions on a Russian bank and reconnecting it to the global SWIFT system, were not met. He said the latest U.N. proposals to revive that export corridor for Ukrainian agricultural products were "simply not realistic". Also read: Ukrainian army breaks through Russian lines in south, claims general Lavrov accuses West of direct fighting in Ukraine Lavrov also accused Western countries of direct fighting with Russia through their support to Ukraine. He said that the Western powers had effectively entered direct war against Moscow by backing Ukraine. "You can call it anything you want, but they are fighting with us, they are straight-up fighting with us. We call it a hybrid war, but that doesn't change things," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations. Zelensky urges member nations to strip Russia of veto power in UNSC; Lavrov responds Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (September 20) denounced the Russian invasion, calling it 'criminal' and urged other member nations to strip Moscow of its veto power. “We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matter of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the U.N. when it comes to the defence of the sovereign border of nations,” he said. "Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a deadlock. It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor," Zelensky continued. After Zelensky's speech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended his country's veto power in the UNSC as a "legitimate tool" of international relations. "The use of veto is an absolutely legitimate tool laid out in the (UN) Charter," said Lavrov. The Russian leader also accused the US and its allies of “egregiously and openly” interfering in the domestic affairs of Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian FM says bid to revive Black Sea grain deal 'not realistic', accuses West of direct fighting in Ukraine

Blinken called on Moscow to release two former US Marines Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, who are serving prison sentences in Russia.

Blinken to meet with Russian FM Lavrov next week in Iceland