UN Headquarters, New York City - Sept 26, 2026 (UNTV - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use)
1. Various of general debate in progress, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaking
2. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister:
"Europe is doing everything to thwart a peaceful settlement and undermine the prospects for negotiations -- prospects in which many, including the Trump administration, are interested. The West continues to send weapons to Ukraine and help Kiev target civilian infrastructure and civilians with drones and missiles. The West aspires to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, but these aspirations, as has happened many times in the past, will lead the warmongers into a strategic dead end."
3. Attendees

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday condemned Europe for blocking peaceful settlement of Ukraine crisis at the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on Sept 22 in the New York City.

Lavrov noted that the efforts made by the West to defeat Russia will only harm themselves.

"Europe is doing everything to thwart a peaceful settlement and undermine the prospects for negotiations -- prospects in which many, including the Trump administration, are interested. The West continues to send weapons to Ukraine and help Kiev target civilian infrastructure and civilians with drones and missiles. The West aspires to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, but these aspirations, as has happened many times in the past, will lead the warmongers into a strategic dead end," he said.

The foreign minister also called on the UN to take measures to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and its surrounding regions. He noted that restoring trust between Arab states and Iran is a prerequisite for handling the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

Additionally, Lavrov said Russia insists on the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. He also urged the lifting of the maritime blockade against Cuba and the adoption of economic measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the country.