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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday described the situation in Gaza as an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” warning that “none of Israel’s neighboring countries feels secure.”
Lavrov spoke during the G20 Foreign Ministers Council meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th U.N. General Assembly in New York, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The minister stressed the importance of the United Nations, saying adherence to the principles of the U.N. Charter is “the key to peaceful and stable development for all states without exception.” He added that violations of the charter reflect “colonial ambitions” that fuel global instability and spark regional conflicts.
Lavrov pointed to unresolved crises in Africa and said the conflict in Ukraine had been “provoked by the West,” adding, “NATO and the European Union have, through Ukraine, effectively launched a real war against my country and joined it.”
Turning to the Middle East, Lavrov said, “The unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has claimed 65,000 lives. U.N. staff working in the region estimate the actual number of deaths could be ten times higher. None of Israel’s neighbors feels secure.”
Lavrov also criticized unilateral sanctions, tariff wars, and violations of World Trade Organization norms, saying they threaten the global economy and harm human lives.
He underlined the growing role of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, framing them as part of the shift toward a multipolar world order.
Lavrov insisted the G20 should concentrate on economic matters rather than security disputes: “The G20 must not interfere in military-political conflict resolution processes at the expense of the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council. Its focus should remain on economic issues.”
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