According to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the recent NATO decision to increase military spending will not substantially impact Russia’s security. Lavrov made the statement during a press conference, where he dismissed claims of a Russian threat as unfounded. He also restated Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks, provided the core issues surrounding the Ukraine conflict are addressed. This follows the NATO summit in The Hague, where member states pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, in response to the ‘long-term threat posed by Russia.’
Lavrov, when questioned about Russia’s perspective on the NATO buildup, responded that it was unlikely to have a significant effect. He highlighted Russia’s transparent and legitimate goals, which are in line with international law, and the means by which Russia intends to achieve them. Moscow has consistently denied any plans to attack NATO countries, claiming these accusations are used to justify higher military spending. Lavrov also indicated that Russia is open to dialogue if NATO addresses core concerns such as its expansion near Russia’s borders and continued military support for Ukraine.