Russia's Lavrov warns of 'real war' as Moscow tests NATO limits

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has issued unprecedented threats toward Berlin, calling recent German accusations about a drone incident the "beginning of a real war." Security experts say this rhetoric marks a political escalation between Russia and NATO, though a conventional military conflict remains unlikely. Experts consulted by Adevarul describe Lavrov's statements as part of Russia's hybrid warfare strategy, using a "salami slicing" tactic to test Western limits without triggering direct military response. They note Russia currently lacks the capacity to open a second front against NATO while struggling in Ukraine. The Kremlin aims to weaken European institutions and support pro-Russian parties like Germany's AfD, with risks of hybrid attacks and political interference expected to rise ahead of upcoming elections in France and Germany.