Lavrov says Russia will “sober up” NATO and EU By Reuters

(Reuters) – Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Thursday that Moscow would do all it might to “sober up” the European Union and NATO, which he accused of getting down to weaken and defeat Russia.

His feedback got here on the identical day that former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned NATO {that a} defeat for Russia in Ukraine might set off a nuclear battle.

Practically 11 months after invading Ukraine, Russia is more and more presenting the battle to its personal individuals as an existential battle with the West. In televised feedback, Lavrov stated Moscow would got down to disabuse Western politicians of their “presumptuous” and “colonial” attitudes to Russia.

“I hope that the sobering up will come,” Lavrov stated. “We’ll do every thing in order that our colleagues from NATO and the European Union sober up as quickly as potential.”

He was talking throughout a go to to Moscow’s shut ally Belarus, which is staging air workout routines with Russia this week – a part of a protracted collection of joint navy actions which have drawn concern from Ukraine that President Vladimir Putin might search to attract Belarus into the battle on Russia’s aspect.

“We now have a typical place on what objectives should be achieved and the way to make sure that neither Russia nor Belarus is threatened by our neighbours – be it Ukraine or anybody else,” Lavrov stated in an announcement after assembly Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus stated the defence ministers of each nations had additionally spoken by telephone.

The joint air workout routines began on Monday and are as a consequence of run till Feb. 1, utilizing all of Belarus’s navy airfields. Belarus has stated they’re purely defensive in nature.

Ukraine has repeatedly warned of potential assaults from Belarus’s territory, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated final week that Ukrainian forces should be prepared on the border.