Lavrov warns of war 3, cites ‘final judgment’ and says how Russia prepares for catastrophe

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said this week that the country is committed to preventing a global collapse scenario, while the final judgment-symbol of the risk of nuclear destruction-approaches midnight. The statements were made during a discourse at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and his Institute of International Relations.

“Global security is perhaps the most critical issue today-especially with the infamous Judgment Clock advancing towards midnight,” Lavrov told the public of staff, teachers and students. “It is essential to prevent such a scenario, and we are actively engaged in efforts to avoid a catastrophe.”

During his speech, Lavrov addressed what he called the normalization of discussions about a Third World War, stating that such conversations became frequent in the midst of the current geopolitical scenario, especially in Europe. According to him, the return of speeches considered aggressive by European leaders represents a growing risk factor.

“It has become almost commonplace to talk about the possibility of a third world war,” he said. “This is especially alarming, given the resurgence of aggressive and belligerent attitudes throughout Europe. As if two world wars – and countless smaller conflicts over the centuries – they were not enough for the current EU leaders.”

Lavrov also pointed out that there are movements considered by him as signaling of changes in the international system. According to Russian chancellor, some recent political currents indicate a greater emphasis on pragmatism and respect for national sovereignty.

“There are, however, some positive trends,” he said. “One of them is the emphasis on realism and common sense expressed by the Trump government, which base its foreign policy on national interests – both the United States and other sovereign nations.”

The minister contrasted this approach to that of the previous US administration. “This is a fundamental difference from the previous Biden government, which was fully consumed by a neoliberal and hegemonic agenda,” he concluded.

Lavrov’s statements take place at a moment of prolonged tension between Russia and the West, aggravated by war in Ukraine, economic sanctions and disputes involving military and energy security in Europe and Central Asia.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukrainian territory, diplomatic channels have been tested for constant exchanges of accusations between Moscow and NATO member countries. In parallel, international organizations have been warning of the increasing risk of military climbing in various regions of the world.

The Lavrov’s final judgment clock is maintained by the atomic scientists bulletin and indicates the level of global threat based on factors such as nuclear weapons, climate change and unregulated technological advances. Midnight represents the point of total destruction. By 2024, the clock was adjusted to 90 seconds before midnight, the smallest range ever recorded since its inception in 1947.

The mention of the former US President Donald Trump suggests Moscow attempt to realize diplomatic narratives around external policies based on the idea of ​​sovereignty and multipolarity. This view contrasts with initiatives promoted by multilateral organisms and western coalitions, often criticized by Moscow as attempts to exert global hegemony.

To date, the US government has not spoken out about Lavrov’s statements. Nor was there an official response from the European Union or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), often cited in the Kremlin official communications as opponents of Russian actions in Ukrainian territory.

Russian Chancellor’s speeches are expected to reverberate in international forums in the coming weeks, especially in multilateral meetings dealing with global security, nuclear disarmament and regional political stability. Discourse can also influence Russia’s strategic allies positions in Asia and the Middle East.

Russian foreign policy has reinforced its discourse against what it classifies as western interference in internal affairs of sovereign nations. Lavrov’s rhetoric followed this line and was aligned with the content of previous communications issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry since the current military conflict in February 2022.

There is, so far, any concrete proposal presented by Moscow in the international negotiation forums to reduce armaments or non -proliferation agreements that are linked to Lavrov statements this week.

Russian diplomacy, however, has kept channels open with some global southern countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, especially China and India.

The atomic scientists newsletter, responsible for the symbolic maintenance of the Judgment Clock, performs periodic reviews of the indicator based on technical analysis and geopolitical evaluations. The next update is scheduled for the beginning of 2026, when new global risk data will be considered.

With information from TASS