rki.news
Russia has warned that it will retaliate against any attempt by European nations to deploy military forces in Ukraine or seize Russian assets held in Europe, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. Addressing lawmakers during a government hour session in the Federation Council, Lavrov said Moscow considers such actions “hostile steps” and is fully prepared to respond.
Lavrov noted that Russia does not seek confrontation with European states, reiterating President Vladimir Putin’s position that Moscow has “no intention of fighting with Europe.” However, he stressed that any move to station European military contingents in Ukraine or to expropriate Russian property abroad would trigger countermeasures.
The foreign minister also said that Western countries remain divided over how to achieve a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine. He accused European governments of slowing progress toward a diplomatic resolution, despite growing calls for renewed negotiations.
Debates within Europe have intensified over new security commitments to Kyiv, particularly discussions regarding the legal and political feasibility of using frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine. On Monday, the G7 nations affirmed that they would continue exploring a broad set of financing mechanisms, in accordance with their national legal systems, including options involving the value of immobilized Russian assets.
Lavrov warned that Moscow is monitoring these developments closely and will act accordingly if such measures move forward.