The German Government has rejected the threats made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov against Ukraine’s Western partners. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry in Berlin stated that such rhetoric would not force Germany to change its policy: the country would continue to support Kyiv, despite Moscow’s statements about a possible escalation of its actions.
Briefly about the main points
- Berlin has stated that Moscow’s threats will not affect its policy.
- The German Foreign Ministry described such Russian rhetoric as nothing new.
- Lavrov has announced «tougher» measures against Western support for Ukraine.
- The Russian Foreign Minister also denied that fighting had ceased along the current front line.
- Germany and Ukraine formalised a strategic partnership in April 2026.
Berlin has described Russian rhetoric as business as usual
A spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry said that Moscow’s threats and statements directed at Ukraine’s partners in the European Union or NATO «are nothing new». According to her, Germany takes note of such statements, but they will not form the basis for a change in policy towards Kyiv.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry emphasised that Berlin would not allow itself to be intimidated and would not waver in its support for Ukraine. The statement was a direct response to threats made by the Russian Foreign Minister.
Lavrov spoke out against a ceasefire along the current front line
14 August Sergey Lavrov said., …that Russia intends to make its methods «much harsher». He attributed this to what Moscow calls Western support for Ukraine’s «military machine». The statement was reported by Russian state media.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry also spoke out against a ceasefire along the current front line. Moscow continues to insist on its own terms for ending the war.
Support for Ukraine is underpinned by a strategic partnership
Berlin’s current response is in line with the established model of long-term cooperation with Kyiv. On 14 April 2026, Germany and Ukraine signed a declaration on strategic partnership, which provides for cooperation in the fields of security, air defence, ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, energy resilience and the defence industry.
According to the German government, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Germany has provided or earmarked for the coming years around €41 billion in civilian aid and €55.5 billion in military bilateral aid to Ukraine. Back in May, Berlin had already stated that it would not be intimidated by Russian threats of further attacks on Kyiv; at that time, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador.
