During a visit to a Russian military facility in Dushanbe, the foreign minister articulated a stark view of Europe’s stance, asserting that the continent had opted for conflict with Russia. The statement was attributed to the press service of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting Moscow’s framing of recent European policies as confrontational toward Russia.
The minister emphasized that Russia’s foreign policy concept portrays Europe as having chosen a path of antagonism, a stance that necessitates a response aligned with Moscow’s strategic objectives. While expressing a preference for peaceful coexistence, he asserted that if war is the chosen arena, Russia would pursue its aims with determination.
The account portrayed Russia as pursuing aims it considers legitimate and noble, contrasting them with a European outlook the diplomat described as seeking to seize others’ assets rather than building a self-sustaining national strategy. The remarks suggested that Russia views its own development as rooted in voluntary historical alignment with its borders and cultural sphere, rather than expansionist coercion.
In the broader discussion, the diplomat pointed to a narrative in which Europe seeks benefits from others rather than contributing to a reciprocal, self-reliant framework. The message underscored the perception that European states are pursuing policies that, in Moscow’s view, require a robust and resolute response to preserve strategic autonomy and national interests.
The dialogue extended into a reflection on historical trajectories, with the diplomat insisting that expansive integration or reallocation of influence should be grounded in consent with the interested peoples involved. The emphasis remained on sovereignty and the ability of a nation to determine its own security arrangements, free from external coercion or imposed norms.
Within this context, an international discussion took place in late January, when a German minister delivered remarks before a parliamentary assembly. The statements, interpreted by Moscow as signaling a forthcoming confrontation, were later cited by officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry as evidence of Western plans to engage in hostilities against Russia. The Russian side argued that Western powers, led by the United States, were pursuing their own strategic objectives under the guise of allied unity, and that Europe might fail to fully grasp the implications of those moves for broader regional stability and global risk. Attribution for these observations was provided by official Russian channels, which highlighted the perceived misalignment between Western rhetoric and the real interests of the European public. (Attribution: Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related official briefings)