Lavrov Claims NATO and EU Are in “Real War” With Russia as Trump Reassesses Ukraine Strategy
Russia’s top diplomat has escalated his country’s rhetoric over the war in Ukraine, accusing the West of already waging a “real war” against Moscow. Speaking Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a G20 ministerial gathering that NATO and the European Union “want to declare, in fact have already declared a real war on my country and are directly participating in it.” His comments were relayed by Russia’s state-run news agency TASS.
Lavrov’s statement underscores the deepening hostility between Moscow and Western capitals more than three years after President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. By describing Western support for Kyiv as direct participation in hostilities, Russia is sharpening its narrative that the conflict is no longer limited to Ukraine but is effectively a confrontation with the entire Euro-Atlantic bloc.
The remarks also come as U.S. President Donald Trump reviews his administration’s approach to ending the war. Trump has signaled an interest in brokering a settlement but has not yet laid out a detailed plan. Analysts say Lavrov’s “real war” framing may be intended to pressure Washington and its allies by portraying any continued military assistance to Ukraine as escalatory and illegitimate.
Western governments, meanwhile, maintain that their support for Kyiv—including weapons deliveries, training, and financial aid—is consistent with international law and does not make them parties to the conflict. NATO officials have repeatedly stressed that no alliance troops are fighting inside Ukraine and that their goal is to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty.
By delivering his remarks in New York during a high-profile multilateral meeting, Lavrov ensured maximum visibility for Moscow’s grievance. The timing also highlights how the Ukraine war continues to dominate international diplomacy even as global leaders discuss issues such as development, climate change, and U.N. reform at the annual General Assembly.
Whether Lavrov’s sharp rhetoric signals a shift in Russia’s negotiating posture or simply reflects ongoing information warfare remains unclear. But it underscores how far relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated—and how complicated any U.S.-led push for a negotiated settlement may be.
