Russian FM Sergey Lavrov criticised Macron's nuclear remarks as a threat and dismissed his claims about Russia endangering Europe as “stupid.” He warned that deploying EU troops in Ukraine would mean direct war with Russia, equating it to NATO’s presence.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Thursday that Moscow perceives French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks on nuclear matters as a threat.

“If he considers us a threat, calls a meeting of the chiefs of general staff of European countries and Britain, says that it is necessary to prepare for the use of nuclear weapons against Russia, this is, of course, a threat,” Lavrov said during a joint news conference in Moscow with his Zimbabwean counterpart Amon Murwira.

Lavrov dismissed Macron’s remarks about Russia threatening Europe and France as “stupid,” noting that despite saying he would, Macron has yet to call Putin. He remarked that Macron proudly declares his intent to speak with Putin, yet nothing has come of it.

Lavrov also warned that deploying an EU military contingent in Ukraine would mean direct war between Russia and Europe, equating it to NATO’s presence there.

He stressed that such involvement would no longer be hybrid but an open, official conflict with Russia, which Moscow finds unacceptable.

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