Russia was represented by the experienced top diplomat Sergey Lavrov at the UN General Assembly, as President Vladimir Putin did not travel to New York.
Lavrov issued a clear, albeit indirect warning, to US President Donald Trump after Trump said he supported the idea that Russian fighter jets that violate NATO countries' airspace can be shot down.
Shot-down drones
Russia is accused of almost planning attacks on (the defense alliance NATO) and countries within the EU, said the former UN Ambassador Lavrov, and continued:
Russia has never had and does not have such intentions. But, every aggression against my country will be met with a powerful response.
Lavrov's statement came after the events when a Russian fighter jet violated the NATO country Estonia's airspace, and is said to have flown drones over Polish airspace that were shot down.
Lavrov has long represented Russia as Foreign Minister. The speech on Saturday during the General Assembly's opening session ahead of the UN's 80th year of operation also showed the Kremlin's clear stance on, among other things, the Middle East.
Accuses Israel
Lavrov said that Israel wants to "blow up" the Middle East through the country's military attacks on several countries in the region.
He criticized Israel's attacks on Iran and Qatar, against Yemen, Lebanon and Syria and Iraq, and condemned "illegal use of violence". Lavrov also condemned Israel's hints about annexing the West Bank and the Israeli military's attacks on Palestinians.
The speech was held the day after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a confrontational speech defending the country's military efforts in the region.
