Overview
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yekaterinburg that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe but warned that an attack on Russia by European states would produce a "completely different" and "very short" war.
- Lavrov reiterated on Wednesday that the goals of Russia's 'special operation' in Ukraine remain unchanged: secure Russia, keep NATO off its borders, and protect the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people.
- He criticized NATO expansion and European leaders for normalizing talk of preparing for war with Russia, framing Western policy as a long-running effort to contain Moscow.
- Lavrov said Moscow is closely watching what it describes as Western attempts to interfere in Russia's election campaign and raised concerns about reports that the United States has deployed strike weapons in space.
- He presented the remarks to a domestic and international audience at the International Youth Festival as part of broader Russian diplomacy that promotes BRICS expansion and opposes closed Western-led blocs in Eurasia.