Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow will not attack EU or NATO member states unless it is attacked first
“We have no intention of attacking Europe. There is no reason to do so,” the top Russian diplomat told NTV in an interview aired on Sunday.
“If Europe acts on its threats to prepare for war against us and initiates an attack on the Russian Federation, it will face a full-fledged military response from our side, with all available military capabilities,” he said.
'We are NOT going to attack Europe' — Foreign Minister Lavrov to NTV channel
— RT (@RT_com) February 8, 2026
He warned, however, that if 'Europe implements its threats' and attacks Russia, the response will be a full-scale military one 'using all available means… in accordance with doctrinal documents' pic.twitter.com/ZkDmQSxQZY
Western officials have justified increased military spending by citing the need to defend NATO’s eastern flank. Germany’s top military commander, General Carsten Breuer, said in December 2025 that the country must be ready for a potential war with Russia by 2029. Moscow has accused the West of warmongering.
At a year-end press conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that his country was planning to attack NATO as “nonsense.”
Russian officials have said, however, that Western military aid to Ukraine, including the delivery of long-range and advanced weapons, increases the risk of a broader conflict.
Moscow has also accused the EU of seeking to derail US-brokered peace talks with Ukraine and prolong the fighting.
Pure Satanism
Meanwhile, Lavorv said the release of US financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s files have exposed the “pure Satanism” of Western elites.
The files “have revealed the face of the West and the deep state, or rather a deep union that rules the entire West and seeks to rule the whole world,” Lavrov said in an interview with NTV aired on Sunday.
Lavrov on how Epstein's files revealed the "pure Satanism" of Western elites:
— Victor vicktop55 commentary (@vick55top) February 9, 2026
As Vysotsky sang, our infiltration of the planet is especially noticeable from afar. This topic relates to the uncovering of that face known as the collective West and the Deep State, which rules the… pic.twitter.com/aUYsjxZ3RC
“Every normal person knows this is beyond comprehension and pure satanism,” Lavrov added.