Lavrov Says War Warnings Could Become EU’s ‘Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that European preparations for a possible war with Russia could provoke one, dismissing warnings of a Russian attack as “nonsense.” His remarks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims on Friday, Sept. 25 about Russian speakers in the Baltic states, which some say echo pre-invasion rhetoric.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that European nations' preparations for a potential conflict with Russia could inadvertently trigger a war. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly's final press conference in New York, Lavrov dismissed warnings of a Russian attack on Europe as "nonsense," while admitting that Europe is investing heavily in its military readiness.
He emphasized that Russia has no intention of waging war against Europe, echoing Kremlin claims made before previous acts of aggression. Lavrov's stance aligns with prior statements from the Kremlin before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite Russian leaders' reassurances, the Kremlin has historically used the threat of Russian-speaking populations' rights to justify military actions against neighboring countries, most notably Ukraine.
Europe's increased military expenditure aims to counteract Russia's growing hybrid warfare, including drone incursions, sabotage, and cyberattacks targeting EU infrastructure. This surge in activity has prompted some EU nations to bolster their defenses and strengthen their stance against Russian aggression.
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