Aggression against Russia will be met with ‘decisive response’, minister says

Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov (Pamela Smith/AP)

Russia’s top diplomat has told world leaders that his nation has no intention of attacking Europe, but any aggression against his country “will be met with a decisive response”.

Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov spoke as unauthorised flights into Nato’s airspace — intrusions blamed on Russia — have raised alarm around Europe in recent weeks, particularly after Nato jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory.

Russia denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and said the drones did not target Poland, with Moscow’s ally Belarus maintaining that Ukrainian signal-jamming sent the devices off course.

Mr Lavrov instead maintained that it is Russia that is facing threats.

“Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions” of attacking European or Nato countries, he said.

“However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.”