Lavrov dismisses NATO’s new defence goal as non-threatening

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed NATO’s new 5% defence spending target, saying it won’t have a major impact on Russia’s security and accusing the alliance of exaggerating the threat his country poses.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said NATO’s decision to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade would not significantly affect Russia’s security. He emphasized that Moscow’s actions align with international law and its stated national interests.

The increased target was adopted by NATO in response to what it described as the long-term threat from Russia, as well as under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for greater European defence contributions.

Russia, which plans to spend more than 40% of its 2025 budget on defence and security, insists it has no intention of attacking NATO countries.

The Kremlin has accused NATO of fueling militarization by painting Russia as an exaggerated threat.

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