Russia says NATO’s defence spending risks collapse of alliance

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned on Monday (June 30, 2025) that Moscow deliberate to chop its defence spending, however that he thought a choice by NATO members to extend their very own defence spending might finally result in the alliance’s collapse.

NATO leaders on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) backed an enormous improve in defence spending that U.S. President Donald Trump had demanded, and mentioned they had been united of their resolve to defend one another in opposition to what they solid as a risk from Russia.

Asked about remarks by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was reported to have mentioned that an arms race between Russia and the West might set off the autumn of President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Lavrov mentioned he thought NATO might collapse.

“Since he is such a predictor, he probably foresees that a catastrophic increase in the budget of NATO countries, according to my estimates, will also lead to the collapse of this organisation,” Mr. Lavrov mentioned.

Russia, which launched a full-scale battle in opposition to Ukraine in 2022 after eight years of preventing in japanese Ukraine, dismisses Western claims that it’ll someday assault a NATO member, a step each Russia and the United States say might set off World War Three.

Mr. Putin mentioned on Friday that Russia was trying to reduce its navy expenditure from subsequent 12 months.

Russia hiked state spending on nationwide defence by 1 / 4 in 2025 to six.3% of gross home product (GDP), the best degree for the reason that Cold War. Defence spending accounts for 32% of complete 2025 federal funds expenditure.