Russia's Lavrov Claims at G20 UN Meeting: "Ukraine Crisis Provoked by West" as NATO and EU Accused of Waging War Against Russia

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has leveled accusations against NATO and the European Union, claiming they are using Ukraine as a means to wage war against Russia during his address on the sidelines of the United Nations gathering.

Speaking at a G20 foreign ministers meeting at the UN, Lavrov's remarks came just two days after US President Donald Trump mockingly criticized Moscow's military performance in Ukraine and expressed his belief that Kyiv could reclaim all its territory.

"The crisis in Ukraine provoked by the West represents a clear example where NATO and the EU have effectively declared actual warfare against my country and are directly participating in it," stated Lavrov during his address.

While Lavrov has expressed similar sentiments before, the fact that these words were delivered within the United Nations building before fellow G20 foreign ministers emphasized the seriousness of the current situation.

Lavrov did not acknowledge Trump's recent comments, instead reiterating Russia's stance that Western actions provoked the conflict in Ukraine, which began when Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion in February 2022.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confronted Lavrov as he attempted to leave during her speech, condemning Russia's "unprovoked war of aggression."

"No amount of false fantasy world distortions, misinformation and propaganda from the Russian representative about the causes of the war will convince anyone," Cooper stated firmly.

Currently, Russian forces occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, with fighting continuing in eastern Ukraine more than 3-1/2 years after the full-scale invasion began.

Europe's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urged world powers to exert international pressure on Russia, noting, "There are no signs that Russia's goal of subjugating Ukraine has changed."