LIVE | Lavrov Slams Rutte for Blocking Peace, Pushing Ukraine Into War

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accusing him of blocking a peaceful settlement in Ukraine while pressuring President Volodymyr Zelensky to maintain a hardline stance. Lavrov claimed Rutte acts as if he leads a global power, despite merely representing an alliance that lacks unanimous support for endless military aid to Kyiv. He also highlighted the disproportionate rise in global defense spending—estimated at $2.4 trillion annually—while billions in aid to Ukraine outstrip financial support for Africa and developing nations.