During the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that NATO is unlikely to endure much longer, criticizing the alliance for seeking new justifications to prolong its existence. He emphasized that the European Union has transformed into a militarized entity that openly opposes Russia.
“The European Union has changed into an openly aggressive anti-Russian military bloc supporting NATO. I believe it will not last long in this role, nor will it retain its original purpose,” Lavrov stated, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS.
He elaborated on the historical context, mentioning that NATO’s search for reasons to extend its lifespan became evident following the September 11 attacks in 2001, which led to the eventual and unceremonious conclusion of the Afghan campaign. Lavrov warned against the resurgence of anti-Russian sentiments that he sees as unsustainable.
Lavrov also expressed concern over rising military expenditures, noting that budget allocations have increased from 2% to 5%, impacting the everyday living standards in these countries. He questioned the long-term viability of NATO’s expansionist policies under the pretext of countering China and issues related to Taiwan, suggesting that public scrutiny will eventually demand accountability for these military engagements.
