Russia confirms Lavrov's itinerary does not include any meetings with US officials at UNGA

There are no meetings with US officials on the itinerary of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This was confirmed by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova amid the high-level Week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, reported Tass News agency citing a local news channel. 

The idea of the United Nations General Assembly is to traditionally bring together heads of state, prime ministers, foreign ministers and representatives of international organizations from around the world. 

Zakharova said, "No, our itinerary does not include any meetings [with the US side]." The Russian envoy also emphasized that there has been no interaction scheduled with the UK or other NATO countries either.

"We have meetings with Asian, Latin American, African countries, with the friendly countries and international organizations," she noted.

Lavrov targets West at UNGA 

At UNGA, the Russian delegation is being headed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Notably, This was the first time, since the COVID-19 outbreak, that High-level Week was held without health restrictions. Participants are attending all events in person, and video messages are not allowed.  

During the UNGA session, Lavrov blamed the West for “a shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fomenting of new hotbeds of tension,” as per AP reports. He highlighted the risks of global conflict and stated, "The US and its satellites have egregiously and openly interfered in the domestic affairs of Ukraine.” He went on to demand that  Russia has “fully” respected the provisions of the UN charter “in an interconnected way.”

Zelenskyy blames Russia for waging 'unprovoked aggression'

On September 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia for waging “a criminal and unprovoked aggression” that damages all norms of war and the UN Charter at a meeting of the UNSC meeting. He also shared with the council that his proposal to end the 19-month war starts with adherence to the charter that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 U.N. member nations. Ukraine also stressed that the restoration of all Ukrainian territory is the key to peace.