WASHINGTON – Russia’s foreign minister lashed out at the United States and the West more broadly, denouncing accusations that Moscow was interfering in other countries' affairs.
In a speech before the United Nations General Assembly on September 28, Sergei Lavrov also accused the West of using "political blackmail, economic pressure and raw force" to prevent other nations becoming global rivals.
Lavrov's 15-minute speech echoed many of the themes that Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin have voiced in past years, including a focus on the United States.
The Russian diplomat railed against "unilateralism" and voiced support for "multipolarity," and the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.
He called accusations that Russia was meddling in other countries' affairs "baseless," and instead asserted that unnamed countries were "endeavor[ing] to undermine democratically elected governments."
That appeared to be a reference to U.S. and European support for countries like Ukraine and Moldova.
Lavrov also denounced the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to pull out of the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement that curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
Trump has rejected the deal, negotiated by his predecessor, and ordered the reimposition of some sanctions in the coming months.
"We will do everything possible to preserve the deal that was approved by the UN Security Council," Lavrov said.
He also asserted that the United States had undermined a series of international treaties and agreements.
"Attacks have been launched against the basic principles of the Middle East peace process, the [Iran nuclear deal], commitments of the Word Trade Organization, climate agreements and many more," Lavrov said.
