Lavrov states NATO spending hike won’t affect Russia’s security

(MENAFN) Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has downplayed NATO’s recent pledge to significantly raise defense spending, stating it will not meaningfully affect Russia’s security.

At the NATO summit in The Hague this week, member states agreed to boost military expenditures to 5% of GDP by 2035, citing Russia as a long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security. US President Donald Trump welcomed the move, calling it a “monumental win.”

Moscow has repeatedly rejected claims that it poses any threat to NATO members, dismissing such accusations as fabricated excuses for ramping up Western military budgets.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Lavrov said he does not believe NATO’s buildup will have any serious impact on Russia. “We clearly understand our objectives; we state them openly, and they fully align with the UN Charter and international law. We know how to achieve these goals and ensure our security,” he emphasized.

Russia has maintained that it is open to peace negotiations if the underlying causes of the Ukraine conflict are addressed, specifically NATO’s expansion toward Russian borders and Western backing for Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.

Recently, the European Commission approved the use of €335 billion in pandemic recovery funds for military spending and introduced a €150 billion defense-focused debt facility. Ukraine has been granted access to these funds alongside EU nations.

Moscow has criticized these moves as evidence of continued hostility from the West. President Vladimir Putin has accused NATO of fabricating threats to justify extracting more money from taxpayers and fueling a new arms race.

When asked what intelligence supported NATO’s warnings about Russia, Secretary General Mark Rutte provided no specifics, citing only broad security concerns.

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