Lavrov presses Russian positions on Ukraine, Gulf, Palestine, Iran and Venezuela at UN address

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, addressing the UN General Assembly, pressed Russian positions on Ukraine, the Gulf, Palestine, Iran and Venezuela.

• Lavrov announced a Russian initiative to settle the Strait of Hormuz crisis and establish Gulf security, urging confidence-building among Gulf states and Iran.
• Lavrov said Russia will demand strict guarantees before selling S-400 air-defense systems to any country, to prevent their re-export to Kyiv.
• Lavrov demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and their return to Caracas.
• Lavrov said European countries are preparing for direct war with Russia, spending heavily to expand military arsenals.
• Lavrov stressed the need for a Palestinian state, citing ongoing insecurity in Israel and the West Bank.