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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing that United Nations resolutions on the issue must be implemented.
Speaking at a nearly three-hour annual press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Lavrov reviewed Russian diplomacy in 2025 and answered questions on key international developments.
Lavrov said a long-term solution to the Middle East issue requires the implementation of United Nations resolutions calling for the creation of a Palestinian state.
He said this principle also applies to initiatives by U.S. President Donald Trump, including efforts to establish a “Peace Council” as part of a Gaza peace plan.
Lavrov said Russia had received an invitation to join the council and a draft of its charter, adding that Moscow wants to clarify details with the U.S. side.
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Lavrov said Israel’s actions fall outside the framework of international humanitarian law and have caused severe humanitarian problems for the Palestinian population.
He said any opportunity that could help address the humanitarian situation should be explored, followed by a political process based on U.N. resolutions. “Stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he said.
On Iran, Lavrov said Western attempts to intervene in the situation were concerning and stressed that the issue should be resolved by respecting Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.
He said Russia had contacts with both Israel and Iran at their initiative and was ready to assist those who seek mediation.
Lavrov said Greenland was not an issue for Russia, describing the situation there as a legacy of the colonial era. Comparing it with Crimea, he said no coup had taken place in Greenland.
He said Russia has no plans to seize Greenland and that Washington is aware that neither Russia nor China has such intentions.
Lavrov added that Russia remains open to cooperation in the Arctic within the Arctic Council, stressing the need to respect security and economic interests in the region.
On the war in Ukraine, Lavrov said European countries and Ukraine were trying to persuade the United States to exclude itself from efforts to resolve the crisis and to push for a cease-fire.
He said European proposals aimed at protecting the Kyiv administration were unacceptable.
Lavrov added that under Trump, the United States had begun to show understanding for Russia’s interests and proposed solutions addressing the root causes of the crisis.
He said he hoped Washington would remain committed to this approach and to agreements reached at a summit in Alaska.
Lavrov said European politicians were openly preparing for war against Russia and warned that Moscow would respond to threats against its Kaliningrad region.
Lavrov said the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was being used by the West against Russia, though he noted that some countries within the organization maintain a balanced approach.
He described OSCE Secretary General Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu as an experienced diplomat who understands the organization is in serious difficulty.
Lavrov also said tensions should be reduced in regions such as Gaza, Iran and Venezuela, adding that Russia is ready to contribute to de-escalation efforts.
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