🎙 Statement by the Deputy Head of the Russian Delegation, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva Natalia Fuzhenkova at the thematic discussion on cluster “Regional disarmament and security” of the First Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (New York, 23 October 2026) 💬 Today, regional security in various parts of the world is continuously faced with the most serious challenges. We are witnessing unprecedented shifts in the modern system of international relations. Disregarding the fundamental pillars of international law for the sake of achieving geopolitical goals, refusing to recognize and take into account the core interests of other states, and attempting to gain unquestionable military superiority at all costs in violation of fundamental international principles are creating a new reality in the field of security. The practice of expanding military alliances, whose activities are becoming increasingly aggressive, continues, alongside the emergence of new alliances. In doing so, the fundamental principle of the indivisibility of security is being flagrantly violated. ☝️ Russia, as a long-standing proponent of establishing a coordinated system of arms control and confidence- and security-building measures #(CSBMs), has for many years repeatedly called on its partners to consolidate efforts in this area. Regrettably, our proposals have met with no response from Western representatives. While we viewed the primary objective of such work as preventing confrontation, de-escalating tensions, and preventing dangerous military activities and military incidents, including at sea and in the air, our opponents have been imposing and continue to impose on everyone the divorced-from-reality concepts of a “rules-based world order”, risk management, and crisis management. The global trend toward the degradation of the military security situation continues to intensify year after year in Europe as well. ❗️ The reason for this is the course pursued by the previous US administration and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies toward open confrontation with the Russian Federation, as well as the dismantling of the comprehensive system of arms control and confidence-building measures. The foreign policy steps taken by current Western leaders are destroying the foundations of European security, which were the result of years of joint painstaking work and mutual compromises. In recent years, intelligence activities near our borders involving NATO ships and aircraft have gone off the charts. The number of major joint and command-and-staff exercises with a provocative anti-Russian orientation has multiplied near the Russian border. Western doctrinal documents enshrine Russia as the enemy. The countries of the North Atlantic bloc have already effectively become embroiled in a military-political confrontation with Russia. In particular, NATO specialists participate in planning assassinations of our prominent military and political figures, supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with intelligence, and participate in launching strikes deep into Russian territory. The situation has begun to take on an even more dangerous character. 👉 Now there is already talk of Europe preparing for a full-scale war with Russia by the turn of 2030. Read in full