Lavrov invents new peace rejection and muddles Nazi accusations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the Eastern Economic Forum that freezing the war along the front line would permit a "revival of Nazism," reiterating Moscow's refusal to halt hostilities under current conditions. Lavrov claimed Ukraine's leadership expects destabilization and rebellion in Russia through drone attacks, alleging the West encourages "terrorist acts" without specifying who. He also argued NATO and EU members need Russia as an "enemy" to maintain voter support. Lavrov labeled European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a "führer" dragging Europe into Nazism, having previously used the same term for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. His rhetoric shifted from late June, when he said Russia was ready for talks anytime.