Lavrov criticizes Germany's role in the Ukraine war and warns Poland

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sharply criticized Germany's role in the Ukraine war and at the same time warned of the consequences of further military support for Kiev. On the sidelines of the so-called Valdai discussion club in Moscow, Lavrov also commented on relations with the USA and made an indirect threat to Poland.

Referring to Germany and recent diplomatic efforts, Lavrov said: "It is difficult for me to assess what Germany is trying to achieve with this. I think an obvious explanation is the fundamental desire to remain relevant. There is an assumption that the situation in the Ukraine crisis is getting worse - although I am not sure if that is true." He described the “militarization” of the EU, the debate about Ukraine joining NATO and the portrayal of Russia as a permanent enemy as “fruitless and even harmful.”

At the same time, Lavrov warned Poland about Warsaw's plans to produce Patriot anti-aircraft systems domestically in the future. Anyone who wants to understand the role of European states in the Ukraine war should study “the relevant section” of Russian military doctrine carefully, the minister said. With the reference to Russian military doctrine, Lavrov was apparently alluding to the nuclear doctrine repeatedly cited by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. This describes the conditions under which Moscow would consider using nuclear weapons. The Foreign Minister did not mention a specific passage.