Sergei Lavrov accuses Germany and the EU of authoritarian tendencies, comparing them to the Nazi era, in the context of the militarization of the German army.

In an editorial published in Rossiiskaia Gazeta, Lavrov argues that modern Germany is becoming a Fourth Reich, citing statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the strengthening of the German army. He also cites German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' comments that German troops are prepared to act against Russian soldiers in case of an attack on NATO. Lavrov also criticizes the OSCE as incompetent and the European defence project led by Ursula von der Leyen, which aims to rearm Europe.