Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has made it clear that the country will not tolerate the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. Lavrov warned that the deployment of peacekeeping troops from NATO countries would be viewed as an official involvement of these countries in the conflict.
These statements came in response to growing concerns about a possible NATO intervention in the ongoing war. Lavrov emphasized that such a deployment would be a direct escalation and a violation of Russian sovereignty and he urged European states to reconsider their stance and avoid measures that could lead to a broader confrontation.
Russia has also criticized the nuclear rhetoric of French President Emmanuel Macron, calling it “extraordinarily confrontational” and a serious threat. Macron had announced plans to hold strategic debates on the protection of European states with French nuclear capabilities, a move that has raised concerns in Moscow.
Lavrov stated that Macron’s statements are in the footsteps of earlier European leaders such as Napoleon and Hitler, who also waged war against Russia. He said that Macron’s rhetoric seeks a dangerous confrontation and exacerbates the geopolitical tensions and that the Kremlin views Macron’s behavior as part of an increasingly aggressive West that instrumentalizes nuclear weapons to achieve its political interests.
Lavrov also criticized the naivety of European diplomacy, pointing out that the prevailing attitude is that the Ukraine conflict can only be ended by a “strategic defeat” of Russia. Instead of contributing to a realistic solution, Europe continues to pursue a strategy of weakening Russia militarily before peace talks can be held, he said.
Russia’s Foreign Minister accused European states of double standards, saying they insist on a military imbalance in favor of the West before negotiations with Russia can begin. This approach is not only unjust but also dangerous, as it increases the likelihood of further escalation in Ukraine and the risk of a broader NATO involvement, he warned.
Lavrov explicitly warned against a scenario in which Western “peacekeepers” are stationed in Ukraine, saying that Russia would view this as a direct NATO involvement, regardless of the national insignia on their uniforms. Such a move would be a “official NATO involvement in the war against Russia” and is not tolerable, he emphasized.
In light of the geopolitical situation, the question arises whether Macron’s escalation course will further strain Western relations with Russia or if it still leaves room for dialogue and de-escalation.