THE SQUIZ

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that Western powers like the US “are straight-up fighting with us” – a reference to the weapons, ammunition and money that’s been provided to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion at the start of last year. Speaking of, US President Joe Biden has agreed to send long-range missiles to Ukraine. 

SO WHAT’S RUSSIA SAYING?

Good question because Russia v America = WWIII… Along with his remarks about the proxy war with the West, Lavrov used his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly meeting to accuse Western allies of aiming to “fuel conflicts which artificially divide humanity into hostile blocks”. Lavrov also nixed 2 diplomatic pushes to end the war in Ukraine. One was a 10-point peace plan put forward by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which called for the withdrawal of Russians and prosecution of alleged Russian war crimes. Lavrov said the plan was “completely not feasible”. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has also been attempting to revive a deal to allow grain exports through the Black Sea in an effort to get the precious cargo to people who need it – but again, Lavrov said the “proposals won’t work … they’re simply not realistic.” 

AND HOW’S ZELENSKY GOING?

The UN’s annual get-together was huge for him, too – he told those gathered that “many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression.” Zelensky also stuck it to the Security Council over Russia’s veto power. But one country wasn’t delighted with Zelensky’s performance – and that’s Poland… Ukraine had been planning to export grain over land via Poland since the closure of the Black Sea route, but Poland’s PM Mateusz Morawiecki has so far banned the shipments. Zelensky called it “political theatre”, which Morawiecki did not take kindly to… But Biden’s promise for long-range missiles was welcomed by Zelensky after pleading for more military support. The missiles should arrive in the coming weeks; Ukraine says they will be crucial in reaching behind Russia’s front line to hit them on home soil. Meanwhile, in the physical fighting, Ukraine claims a missile strike killed key Russian naval officers on Friday, but Moscow denies any deaths.