Lavrov calls Chancellor Merz's plan to make Bundeswehr Europe's strongest army 'astonishing' and threatens harsh reply over Victory Day
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a Foreign Ministry memorial event on May 8, called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plan to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest army 'astonishing' and accused officials in Brussels of fostering 'revanchist sentiments' across the bloc. Lavrov said some European states were preparing 'another' attack on Russia and 'unabashedly calling for a repeat of Hitler's experience,' and warned that any disruption of Russia's May 8-9 Victory Day commemorations would draw a harsh response. Russia's Defense Ministry on Monday proposed a two-day Victory Day truce while threatening a 'massive' missile reply if it were broken; Kyiv has since announced its own unilateral ceasefire and accused Moscow of violating it through continuing airstrikes and frontline attacks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on May 8 described German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's stated ambition to make the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe again as "astonishing," speaking at a memorial event at Russia's Foreign Ministry. "I think there is no need to explain the meaning behind this phrase," state news agency Tass quoted Lavrov as saying.
Lavrov said Merz's remarks had raised concerns in Russia and other European countries about the direction of Euro-Atlantic integration, and accused officials in Brussels of encouraging "revanchist sentiments" across the region. He claimed some European countries were preparing "another" attack on Russia and were "unabashedly calling for a repeat of Hitler's experience."
Turning to the May 8-9 Victory Day commemorations, which mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, Lavrov warned Moscow would respond harshly to any disruption. "If the Nazis, who are resurging in the West through Ukraine, continue what they are doing now, there will be no mercy for them," he said.
The remarks tracked a series of moves earlier in the week. Russia's Defense Ministry on Monday proposed a two-day ceasefire for the Victory Day holiday and warned Ukraine of a "massive" missile response if the commemorations were disrupted. Ukraine announced its own unilateral ceasefire beginning at midnight Tuesday, but Kyiv has since accused Moscow of violating the truce by continuing airstrikes and frontline attacks.