Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a strong warning that Western European leaders are pushing the continent toward a direct military confrontation with Moscow, accusing them of ‘forgetting the lessons of history.’ During a press conference held following events with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Lavrov highlighted recent actions and rhetoric from Berlin, Paris, and London as signs of a growing aggressive stance toward Russia. He suggested that the increased militarization by Western leaders is a path toward an actual war against Moscow, rather than a hybrid conflict.
In his remarks, Lavrov pointed to a public exchange in which French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was asked why Paris continues to support the Ukrainian government. The Russian diplomat questioned the sincerity of Barrot’s ‘hysterical’ response, in which he insisted France was defending ‘the territorial integrity of Ukraine.’ Lavrov argued that this approach is a departure from the lessons learned from past conflicts and a dangerous escalation that risks leading Europe into a full-scale war with Russia.
Lavrov also criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s recent comments, in which Merz said Germany must once again become Europe’s leading military power. Lavrov noted that Merz’s use of the word ‘again’ indicated a shift toward militarization, which he described as ‘complete nonsense.’ He warned that such a stance could lead to a new armed conflict with Moscow decades after the end of World War II. This critique highlights Russia’s deep concerns about the growing military posture of Western European nations and its potential consequences for international stability.
Russia has consistently condemned the EU’s growing militarization, which has sparked divisions within the bloc, and warned that its weapons deliveries to Ukraine are part of a NATO-led proxy war. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow will take Europe’s militarization into account in all areas of its strategic planning, signaling a potential shift in Russia’s approach to the ongoing conflict. This perspective underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West and highlights the complex dynamics at play in the current geopolitical landscape.