During his speech at the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, Lavrov blamed Western nations for undermining arms control agreements and continuing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO’s) eastward expansion despite earlier promises to the contrary.
Lavrov said the conflict in Ukraine has destroyed the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, turning the European Union into an extension of NATO. He criticized proposals for a new European security system that deliberately exclude Russia and Belarus, citing France’s European Political Community as an example of exclusionary tactics.
Citing escalating militarization, Lavrov mentioned France and Britain’s nuclear coordination, as well as the military pact between Germany and Britain that may include nuclear elements, rising defense expenditures, and large-scale military exercises preparing for eastern deployments. He also expressed concern over NATO’s increased activities in the Arctic, which he said threaten peaceful cooperation in the region.
The minister accused European NATO members of prolonging the Ukraine conflict by supplying arms and pressuring the United States against negotiated settlements. He expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would remain committed to resolving the crisis based on principles from the Alaska summit.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s call for an inclusive security framework designed to prevent dominance by any single power and promote genuine multipolarity.
