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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the European Union of constructing its security architecture against Moscow, warning that Ukraine’s potential membership could accelerate the bloc’s militarization and deepen its internal problems.
Lavrov made the remarks at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan following talks in Moscow.
“The EU is building all structures intended to ensure security against Russia,” Lavrov said.
He argued that the EU had changed from its earlier form and was increasingly being transformed into an independent military bloc.
Lavrov said Britain was also supporting the idea of a separate military alliance involving countries within the EU that oppose Russia, along with Ukraine.
He added that those plans remained at the discussion stage.
Lavrov said Ukraine’s accession to the EU would be used by countries seeking to militarize the bloc.
“From the perspective of our interests, Ukraine’s accession to the EU will be used by those who want to militarize this union,” he said.
He also claimed that admitting Ukraine could weaken the bloc economically and politically.
“If Ukraine joins, the EU will fall apart,” Lavrov said.
“If Europeans want to destroy their multilateral economic structure and turn it into a military organization, that will be bad for them. If they want to collapse economically, then they should invite Zelenskyy.”
Lavrov said Moscow appreciated Türkiye’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine.
“We appreciate Türkiye’s diplomatic initiatives toward resolving the situation in Ukraine,” he said.
Lavrov argued that any settlement must be durable, long-term and reliable and should address what Russia describes as the root causes of the conflict.
He said those issues included Ukraine’s possible NATO membership, respect for the rights of Russian communities living in the Ukrainian-controlled territory and guarantees for what he called the rights of the Ukrainian Church.
Lavrov also said Russia opposed sanctions imposed by Western countries, describing them as unlawful.
“We oppose sanctions and support respect for the U.N. Charter and compliance with international law,” he said.
He added that Moscow did not want similar sanctions to be imposed on other countries.
Lavrov said Russia and Türkiye had agreed to maintain close coordination on security in the Black Sea region.
He expressed concern over what he described as provocative Ukrainian actions targeting vessels and tankers transporting grain to Türkiye.
Lavrov also cited alleged threats against the TurkStream and Blue Stream natural gas pipelines.
“We agreed to maintain intensive interaction regarding security in the Black Sea region,” he said.
The Russian minister said Moscow and Ankara would continue consultations on developments in the South Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa.
He also said the two countries supported continued work through the South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Platform to promote peace and stability.
Lavrov said Russia and Türkiye remained concerned about continuing crises involving Iran, Lebanon and Palestine.
He said tensions between Iran and Israel had spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz, while the conflicts in Lebanon and Palestine remained unresolved.
“The Israeli leadership says that a Palestinian state will not be established,” Lavrov said. “This violates U.N. resolutions.”
“Russia and Türkiye oppose this, and we will insist on the implementation of these resolutions,” he added.
Lavrov said Moscow and Ankara also agreed on the need to improve conditions in Syria.
He said the two countries would continue working to strengthen Libya as a state and would support U.N. initiatives addressing the country’s divisions since the 2011 Arab Spring.
Lavrov described dialogue between Russia and Türkiye as intensive at every level, including contacts between their presidents, parliamentary leaders and foreign ministers.
He said a consultation plan signed with Fidan during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum was being implemented successfully.
Lavrov also pointed to continued cooperation in energy, including construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Türkiye.
He said tourism ties were expanding and noted that nearly 7 million Russian citizens visited Türkiye last year.
“We support ensuring the reliable safety of our citizens, and we value the approach of our Turkish friends in this regard,” Lavrov said.
He expressed hope that the talks with Fidan would facilitate the implementation of agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries.
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