Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, has downplayed the impact of NATO’s planned military spending increase on Russia. He stated that the move would not significantly affect Russian security. Lavrov’s comments came during a press conference where he refuted Western assertions of a Russian threat and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness for peace negotiations conditional on addressing the root causes of the Ukraine conflict. The NATO summit in The Hague saw member states agree to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, citing the perceived long-term threat from Russia.
When asked about Russia’s view of the NATO buildup, Lavrov said it would not have a significant effect. He maintained that Russia’s objectives are transparent and legitimate under international law, and that Russia is committed to achieving them. Moscow has consistently denied any aggressive intentions toward NATO members and has called such accusations a justification for increased military spending. Lavrov also noted that Russia is ready for dialogue if NATO addresses issues such as its eastward expansion and continued military support for Ukraine.