Lavrov says he follows NATO conflict-plan reports philosophically
In short
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he follows reports that NATO is drafting a plan for a possible military conflict with Russia “philosophically,” adding that “today they say one thing, tomorrow another.” He repeated that NATO calls itself a defensive alliance but that this did not save Yugoslavia, Afghanistan or Libya. The remarks followed a Bloomberg report that NATO is developing a strategy for its eastern flank.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he follows reports that NATO is drafting a plan for a possible military conflict with Russia “philosophically,” telling journalists that “today they say one thing, tomorrow another,” Vedomosti reported. TASS reported that Lavrov said he was philosophically following the development of what it described as NATO's “defensive” plan. RIA Novosti also reported Lavrov answering questions about NATO's plans and about an alleged NATO plan for war with Russia, without giving the content of those answers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The reports refer to a Bloomberg article cited by both Vedomosti and TASS. According to Vedomosti, the article said NATO is developing a strategy for a quick victory in case of a supposedly possible Russian attack on the alliance's eastern flank, under the name “Theory of Victory,” combining traditional armed forces with new technologies. TASS's summary said the alliance's military command had prepared a new “defence” plan on the eastern flank using drones and artificial intelligence. [ 4 , 5 ]
Lavrov recalled that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had earlier assured that the alliance did not intend to fight Russia and was a defensive organisation, Vedomosti reported. He added: “We have heard many times that NATO is a defensive alliance. But that did not save Yugoslavia, that did not save Afghanistan, that did not save Libya,” while noting that the alliance also failed to “save itself” in those countries. [ 4 ]
The remarks followed an earlier statement by President Vladimir Putin. Vedomosti reported that Putin said at the Valdai forum on 1 October that if it came to a direct NATO attack on Kaliningrad, the question of using all available weapons would “inevitably and immediately” appear on the agenda, specifying that he was not speaking only of nuclear weapons. [ 4 ]
The Russian outlets published their accounts of Lavrov's comments within about an hour of each other on the afternoon of 6 October. Vedomosti's account was the most detailed, while RIA Novosti's items were headline reports on Lavrov's answers to specific questions, including on Afghanistan, and TASS carried a short summary attributing the planning reports to Bloomberg. The documents do not record any official NATO statement on the reports. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The exchange comes amid heightened tension between Russia and NATO over the alliance's eastern flank and the Kaliningrad region, and touches on the question of what weapons could be used. Because the Russian foreign and defence narrative is delivered mainly through state outlets, Lavrov's characterisation of the NATO plans is one of the few official Russian positions on the report. The documents give no indication that either side has changed its posture or announced a decision.
Key facts
- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he follows reports about NATO developing a plan for a military conflict with Russia “philosophically” [ 4 , 5 ]
- Lavrov said of such reports: “today they say one thing, tomorrow another” [ 4 ]
- Bloomberg reported that NATO is drafting a strategy named “Theory of Victory” for a quick win in case of a possible Russian attack on the alliance's eastern flank [ 4 , 5 ]
- According to the reports cited by the outlets, the concept combines traditional armed forces with new technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence [ 4 , 5 ]
- Lavrov cited Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya as cases where NATO's self-description as a defensive alliance did not prevent conflict [ 4 ]
- President Vladimir Putin said on 1 October at the Valdai forum that a direct NATO attack on Kaliningrad would “inevitably and immediately” raise the use of all available weapons, not only nuclear [ 4 ]
- Lavrov referred to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's earlier assurances that the alliance does not intend to fight Russia [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the NATO document is a strategy named “Theory of Victory” or a “defence” plan for the eastern flank Vedomosti cites Bloomberg naming the strategy “Theory of Victory,” while TASS's summary describes a new “defence” plan on the eastern flank using drones and artificial intelligence; the documents do not reconcile the two descriptions.
- What Lavrov said about the non-adoption of a final document on Afghanistan The RIA Novosti headline says Lavrov answered a question on the matter, but no article text or summary was available, so the substance is unknown.
- What Lavrov said about NATO's plans more broadly, beyond the philosophy remark Two RIA Novosti headlines state that he answered questions on NATO plans and on an alleged NATO plan for war with Russia, but give no content.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- President Vladimir Putin says at the Valdai forum that a direct NATO attack on Kaliningrad would immediately raise the question of using all available weapons, not only nuclear, according to Vedomosti. [ 4 ]
- Bloomberg reports that NATO is developing a strategy for a quick victory in case of a possible Russian attack on the alliance's eastern flank, called “Theory of Victory,” according to Vedomosti. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes Lavrov's answers on the non-adoption of a final document on Afghanistan, on NATO plans and on an alleged NATO plan for war with Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Vedomosti reports Lavrov's comments that he follows the NATO planning reports philosophically. [ 4 ]
- TASS reports Lavrov saying he philosophically follows the development of NATO's “defensive” plan. [ 5 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes Lavrov's comment on NATO plans in case of an “attack from Russia.” [ 6 ]