Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday that Moscow has no intention of scaling back its objectives in Ukraine, and that its army will continue fighting until they are resolved.
Lavrov, during his speech, outright rejected a pause in fighting during negotiations and told the world that the war was a fight for the security and rights of Russians and people living in regions of Ukraine that Moscow considers Russian.
What Lavrov Said
Tu-160 Bomber from Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons
Tu-160 Bomber Russian Air Force. Image Credit: Russian State Media.
In his September 26 speech, Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the war effort and said that Moscow will continue to pursue its aims in Ukraine even as the United States pushes to end the war.
“Our struggle for truth and justice will be carried through to the end,” he said. “The objectives of the special military operation will be achieved, threats to Russia’s security will be eliminated, and peaceful life will be restored.”
Lavrov also used the term “special military operation” to describe the conflict — a term President Vladimir Putin used when launching the invasion in February 2022.
The term was originally used as Russia sought a quick victory in Ukraine, expecting the conflict to last for a matter of weeks, not months, and certainly not years.
Lavrov also didn’t set a deadline, nor did he suggest that Russia was willing to accept compromise for the sake of peace. He did, however, slam Europe for its involvement in the war, which is likely a particularly troubling element of his speech for European leaders and officials listening.
The comments come as the Russian president reportedly mulls a possible incursion into NATO territory, with analysts warning that he may be preparing to test the resolve of the alliance as a warning to European states continuing to arm Ukraine.
Lack of Peace Talk Progress
He also placed responsibility for the lack of progress in peace talks on Europe, noting ongoing European military assistance to Ukraine, including the delivery of weapons being used to strike deep inside Russia.
“The West is pumping the Ukrainian regime full of weapons, helping Kyiv to target drones and missiles at civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said. “Our fight for truth and justice will be brought to an end: the objectives of the special military operation will be achieved, and threats to our security will be eliminated,” he continued.
Lavrov also placed blame on the United States, claiming that Washington had deliberately encouraged Europe, or Kyiv, to be “Russophobic.”
“In order to supposedly constrain Russia, the U.S. has destroyed the European security system and created a Russophobic regime in Kyiv,” Lavrov said.
Western “Minority”
His attack on Western influence continued, too, claiming that Western countries are attempting to maintain their dominance by forcing their rules on other states.
“The Western minority, which dominated for 500 years thanks to others’ resources, continues to try to maintain its privileges and impose its own rules on everyone else,” he said.
Lavrov – Hardliner
Lavrov has served as Russia’s foreign minister since 2004, and he has remained one of the most hardline Russian officials on Ukraine and Moscow’s conditions for ending the war.
In December 2022, he said that Kyiv should accept Russia’s proposals for demilitarization and “denazification.”
If Ukraine refused, he warned, Russia’s army would decide the issue. The statement followed comments from the Russian president that he was open to talks.
Lavrov also said in August 2025 that Ukraine could receive international security guarantees, but only if it remained neutral, stayed outside of any military alliances, including NATO, and accepted Russia’s territorial claims.
His speech on Saturday was simply a continuation of those comments and his longstanding hard line on Ukraine.
Where Peace Efforts Stand
Washington is currently attempting to restart talks between Ukraine and Russia. After meeting President Donald Trump in New York on September 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv was prepared to consider a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.
The U.S. has also proposed reopening the Black Sea grain corridor and bringing representatives from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine together for direct talks, potentially in the United Arab Emirates.
Zelenskyy has indicated that he is open to a three-way meeting including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, but Moscow has yet to agree to the terms.
Before Lavrov met Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 23, the Kremlin said the conditions for renewed peace talks were not yet in place, although Moscow remained open to negotiations.
On Monday, September 28, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said that Ukraine would “pay a price” for its recent strikes inside Russia, and when asked how the strikes affect Moscow’s position on peace talks, he simply said that Russian forces would continue their military operation.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, producing and editing analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at 19FortyFive and National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
