Russia Will Deliver a Full-Scale Response to Europe: Lavrov

Darwin, 10 February:

Russia has no plans to attack any European country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said. However, he warned that if Europe implements preparations for war against Russia or launches a direct attack, Moscow is ready to deliver a full-scale response using all available military capabilities.

According to a report published by TASS on Monday, Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Itogi Nedeli, a weekly news program on Russia’s NTV television channel. He said, “We are not going to attack any part of Europe. We have no reason to do so. But if Europe carries out its threats of war against us and begins attacking Russia, then, in the president’s words, this would no longer be a special military operation. Instead, in line with relevant military doctrines, a full-scale response would be delivered using all available military capabilities.”

Earlier, in late December 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a similar position during his annual press conference. He said Russia is not at war with Western countries; rather, the West is fighting Russia through Ukrainian nationalists. Putin also claimed that Russia has never sought a war with Europe. However, he emphasized that if Europe initiates a war, there should be no doubt that Russia would be ready to respond immediately with retaliatory measures.