Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the European Union of abandoning its founding economic purpose and transforming into an aggressive military bloc aligned with NATO. Speaking at an international forum in Moscow, Lavrov said the EU is now “essentially a branch, or rather an appendage of NATO,” warning that its deeper integration with the alliance directly implicates EU nations in preparations for war against Russia, reports RT.
Lavrov referenced a new agreement between the EU and NATO which mandates that EU countries — including non-NATO members — allow the movement of NATO troops and equipment across their territories when needed. “This means EU nations are no longer neutral in the military sense,” Lavrov claimed. “They are involved in military logistics for operations that could target our country.”
The comments come amid rising military spending across Europe. Last month, EU member states adopted a €150 billion ($170 billion) debt initiative aimed at ramping up arms production and procurement. Moscow has condemned the plan as part of the West’s ongoing militarization and an “incitement to war.”
Lavrov’s warning also coincides with revelations shared by U.S. President Donald Trump, who published alleged messages from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. In the messages, Rutte praised recent U.S. attacks on Iran, mimicked Trump’s rhetorical style, and boasted about pushing EU countries to increase defense budgets — all under the pretext of a Russian threat.
Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed Lavrov’s sentiments in a speech to military graduates on Monday, saying the West has fabricated the “horror story” of a Russian invasion to justify new arms races. “They repeat it year after year to provoke militarization and fear,” Putin said.
Moscow continues to assert that it harbors no hostile intentions toward the EU and views the NATO narrative as deliberate fearmongering. The Kremlin has urged Brussels to reverse course and return to its original economic mission rather than acting as NATO’s military auxiliary.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
