Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov intensified fears of a wider conflict by warning that a war between Russia and Europe could become “short”, apparently implying possible nuclear escalation. He accused European leaders of preparing for confrontation with Moscow and claimed Germany was seeking to become Europe’s leading military power, while also invoking accusations of a “Fourth Reich” and renewed Nazism. The remarks followed a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and contrasted with Vladimir Putin’s stated claims that Russia does not intend to wage war elsewhere in Europe.

Lavrov said European military spending could create a self-fulfilling prophecy if leaders eventually sought to use the weapons being accumulated. Wadephul said Europe should maintain dialogue with Russia while demanding an end to its hybrid attacks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia might seek to expand the war. The article also reported Russian strikes across Ukraine, including attacks on communications infrastructure, with two people killed and 28 injured in Sumy and three killed and at least four injured in Zaporizhzhia; Romanian aircraft were scrambled over suspected drone activity near the Danube.