MWE Correspondent
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Germany of moving toward a direct confrontation with Moscow, warning that Berlin’s growing military ambitions could further escalate tensions between Russia and Europe.
Lavrov pointed to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s calls for Germany to become Europe’s leading military power, arguing that Berlin’s current approach represents a serious threat to Russia.
“He is essentially declaring war on us. And history’s lessons haven’t been learned at all,” Lavrov said, referring to Merz’s position on strengthening Germany’s military capabilities.
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The Russian foreign minister also drew comparisons with the period preceding Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, citing the closure of diplomatic missions as part of his warning about Germany’s current relations with Moscow.
Lavrov said Russia’s leadership would take what he described as “appropriate conclusions” from Germany’s policies and actions.
His remarks reflect Moscow’s growing concern over Germany’s push to expand its defence capabilities and strengthen Europe’s military capacity amid the continuing war in Ukraine.
Berlin has repeatedly described its defence policy as a response to the changing security environment in Europe and the need to strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities.
Lavrov’s reference to 1941 marks a particularly sharp escalation in Moscow’s rhetoric toward Germany, invoking one of the most consequential and devastating periods in Russian and European history.
The comments are likely to intensify an already strained relationship between Moscow and Berlin as European governments continue to debate defence spending, military readiness and support for Ukraine.
