“Diplomacy is first and foremost a statement of thoughts and arguments in an effort to convince a partner. Therefore, if we take the verbal rhetoric that we hear from NATO circles, both from member countries and from the general secretariat, Russophobia, of course, rolls over, ”the Foreign Minister said.
Lavrov stressed that he was struck by the statement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel about NATO as the only organization that can protect Germany.
“Honestly, I was struck by such statements that do not sound from some small country with Russophobic mentality and historical phobias, but from Germany, which is the leader of the EU and Europe. Therefore, these thoughts, this paranoia penetrated very deeply, ”the diplomat said.
Earlier, Lavrov said that French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders are trying to change Russophobian sentiment in the EU.