Jai Siya Ram

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently claimed that NATO and the European Union (EU) have “declared a real war” on Russia through their involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

He made these remarks at a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Here are the full details of his statement and the context surrounding it:

Lavrov’s Core Allegation

Lavrov stated that the “crisis” in Ukraine was “provoked by the collective West,” and that NATO and the EU have gone beyond indirect support to become active, direct participants in the conflict:

“Another clear example is the crisis in Ukraine provoked by the West, through which NATO and the EU have… already declared a real war on my country and are directly involved in it.”

This statement is a reiteration of the Kremlin’s long-standing narrative that Western military and financial support for Ukraine amounts to an act of war against Russia, using Ukraine as a proxy.

Context and Escalation of Tensions

Lavrov’s comments came amid a significant rise in tensions between Russia and NATO, marked by several recent events:

• Airspace Incursions: In the days leading up to his statement, NATO member states, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia, reported multiple incidents of Russian drones and fighter jets violating their airspace. Poland reported shooting down Russian drones, and Estonia accused Russian jets of remaining in its airspace for several minutes.
• Western Warnings: The incursions prompted strong responses from the West. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that NATO allies should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate their airspace, a position supported by other European officials.
• Russian Counter-Threats: In response, Russian officials warned that such actions by NATO would constitute a direct act of war and could risk triggering a wider conflict.

Western Response to Lavrov’s Claim

Lavrov’s statement was immediately dismissed by Western diplomats as propaganda and a deliberate attempt to distort the facts.

• Britain’s Response: British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Russia’s “unprovoked war of aggression” and dismissed Lavrov’s remarks as “false fantasy world distortions, misinformation, and propaganda.”
• Germany’s Response: Germany’s Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, addressed the drone incursions, stating, “The suspicion is obvious: This is part of Vladimir Putin’s strategy… We are not at war, but we are also no longer at complete peace. We are being attacked both in disinformation campaigns and now also by drones.”

In summary, the statement from Sergey Lavrov is a hardening of Russia’s official rhetoric, where the substantial military and financial aid provided to Ukraine by NATO and EU members is being formally framed as a “real war” being waged against Russia by the Western alliances.