Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that NATO’s recent decision to significantly boost defense spending could lead to the alliance’s downfall.
Commenting on Thursday in response to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski’s claim that an arms race might cause the collapse of Russian leadership, Lavrov remarked, “Given his apparent wisdom, Sikorski might see that NATO’s massive spending increase could spell the end for the alliance itself.”
Lavrov referenced remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, after a recent Eurasian Economic Council meeting in Minsk, emphasized Russia’s intent to lower military spending and focus on practical priorities rather than perceived threats, unlike NATO members, including Sikorski, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.
In a prior interview with AFP, Sikorski warned that Putin’s heavy focus on military spending echoes the mistakes of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, who Putin himself once said contributed to the Soviet Union’s collapse due to excessive armament costs.
NATO’s Historic Spending Pledge
Last week, NATO leaders, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, agreed to a landmark deal to ramp up defense budgets.
Last week, NATO leaders, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, agreed to a landmark deal to ramp up defense budgets.
The 32-member alliance reaffirmed its commitment to collective defense, emphasizing solidarity in the face of potential attacks.
The agreement sets a goal for member states to allocate 5% of their GDP annually to defense and security by 2035, aiming to bolster both national and alliance-wide security.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the decision as a game-changer for the organization.
Trump praised the deal, calling it an unexpected achievement and taking partial credit for its success. However, some members, like Spain, have expressed doubts about meeting the target, and others have voiced concerns.
The agreement includes a progress review in 2029, aligning with the next U.S. presidential election cycle, to evaluate advancements and adjust NATO’s strategy in response to Russia’s evolving challenges.