Moscow, Russia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Western countries of destroying the European security architecture that had been built up over decades. He argued that the abrogation of several arms control treaties directly contributed to increased military tensions and opened the door to a new arms race in Europe.
Lavrov stated that many agreements that had formed the cornerstone of strategic stability among major powers have been abandoned or suspended in recent years. As a result, mutual trust has declined, and security risks in Europe have risen.
He added that the policies pursued by some Western countries have contributed to weakening mechanisms for dialogue and security coordination. He also noted that the absence of arms control agreements has led to increased uncertainty regarding the future of regional and international security.
The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Moscow sees a need to return to serious dialogue on issues of strategic stability and arms control. However, he warned that continued military escalation and the erosion of mutual control mechanisms could lead to further tensions and unintended confrontations.
Lavrov’s remarks come at a time of continued tension in relations between Russia and the West over a range of security and political issues. These include the war in Ukraine, the expansion of military capabilities in Europe, and the future of international agreements on conventional and nuclear weapons.
Observers believe that arms control has returned to the forefront of international debate amid growing concerns about escalating military competition between major powers. At the same time, calls have intensified to revive channels of negotiation and avoid entering a new phase of strategic confrontation, as these developments could have repercussions for global security and stability.
