Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has said that NATO have “declared war on Russia” through Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Thursday that NATO and the European Union are effectively waging war against Moscow by “using Ukraine as a proxy” and are “directly participating” in the conflict. His remarks, posted on a public Telegram board, echoed the Kremlin’s repeated assertions that Western military and financial backing for Kyiv constitutes direct aggression toward Russia.

The comments come as NATO allies report an uptick in drone and aircraft incursions. On Tuesday, NATO reiterated that it was prepared to defend “every inch of allied territory” after Estonia said Russian fighter jets had violated its airspace last week. That incident followed a breach in Poland earlier this month, when roughly 20 Russian drones entered Polish territory. Denmark also reported drone activity near critical infrastructure sites this week, coinciding with the discovery of a Russian landing ship off its coast.

Key points:

• NATO and EU member states have not formally entered the war.
• Lavrov accused both alliances of declaring war on Russia through Ukraine.
• He alleged NATO and the EU are “directly participating” in the conflict.
• The statement was made Thursday on a public Telegram board.
• Moscow has consistently framed Western support for Ukraine as hostile action.

Zelensky reacts to Trump remarks
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he was taken aback by President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting Ukraine could reclaim its territory — and possibly more — from Russia.

“It was a surprise for me, you’re right,” Zelensky told Fox News. “It was very positive signals from the side that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.”