Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a scathing critique of NATO’s latest defense spending commitments, warning that the alliance could face collapse due to what he called a “destructive” increase in military budgets.

Speaking in response to comments from Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Lavrov dismissed the notion that a renewed arms race could destabilize the Kremlin. Instead, he argued that the West’s intensified military spending would ultimately backfire on NATO itself.

Lavrov suggested that if Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is so certain in his forecasts about Russia’s future, he should also consider the possibility that NATO’s sharp rise in defense spending could, from Moscow’s perspective, ultimately trigger the alliance’s collapse.

NATO Defense Spending Under Fire

epa12195457 Dutch King Willem-Alexander (C-L) and Queen Maxima (C-R) pose for a family photo with participating heads of state and government of the NATO summit prior to a dinner at Paleis Huis Ten Bosch, in The Hague, The Netherlands, 24 June 2025. The dinner marks the start of the NATO summit in The Hague. The Netherlands hosts the NATO Summit in The Hague on 24 and 25 June, the first such summit to be held in the country. EPA/CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / POOL

Lavrov’s remarks come shortly after NATO member states agreed during a recent summit to raise their national defense budgets to 5% of GDP—a significant jump from the long-standing target of 2%. The move reflects mounting concerns among NATO countries over global security and the war in Ukraine, but Moscow has used the development as an opportunity to criticize the alliance.

According to Lavrov, Russia is planning to reduce its own defense spending in the near future, echoing statements recently made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The claim stands in sharp contrast to Moscow’s actual defense budget: Russia has increased its military spending, now allocating 6.3% of its GDP—the highest level since the Cold War. Defense now accounts for nearly a third (32%) of the country’s total federal budget for the year.

Strategic Rhetoric Amid Rising Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, as Head of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov sit nearby, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Lavrov’s comments appear aimed at sowing doubt within NATO ranks and undermining the unity of the alliance. By suggesting that excessive defense spending will destabilize the West rather than Russia, he is attempting to shift the narrative and reframe the cost of militarization as a Western burden.

Analysts view the remarks as part of a broader strategic communications effort by the Kremlin to project strength and resilience amid sustained economic sanctions and military pressure from the West.