Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov escalated his rhetoric about Europe this Saturday as he appeared in front of a half-empty United Nations chamber, repeatedly framing European governments as enablers of “Nazism.”

Russia has used the “Nazism” and “fascism” rhetoric repeatedly throughout the last century to justify the Cold War, the Hungarian Civil War in the 1950s, the 1991 independence movements from the Baltic states, and most recently used this phrasing to justify invasions of Ukraine and Georgia.

It’s not the first time Vladimir Putin’s mouthpiece, Lavrov, has used the “Nazism” claims and portrayed the West as a bloc preparing for a direct war with Russia. However, the repeated claims to the U.N. and press come as a Danish intelligence service warned Russia is expected to increase drone attacks on NATO countries.

In a subsequent question-and-answer session, Lavrov cast the European Union and NATO states as “complicit” in what he called “neo-Nazism,” while warning that the conflict would be pursued “to the end.” Lavrov blamed Europe’s defense buildup, which has been in response to breaches by Russian drones and close fly-bys, for the prospect of a wider confrontation.

Lavrov described what Russia sees as a growing resurgence of extremist ideology across the continent beyond Ukraine.

“We highlighted the importance of countering, without compromise, any manifestation of neo-Nazism, primarily in Ukraine. But not only there – the metastases of this misanthropic ideology are evident in other countries on this continent, especially among the EU members, NATO, and the Baltic states. In Germany as well, which is particularly alarming,” Lavrov told reporters.

He also singled out EU governments in language tied explicitly to World War II, adding, “Marking 80 years since the Nuremberg trials concluded following the defeat of Nazi Germany, he said the lessons had not been learned by all, accusing European Union governments of tolerating what he called ‘Ukrainian Nazism’ while restricting the Russian language.”

In one of his most graphic allegations, Lavrov broadened the Nazi framing from Ukraine to Europe’s political support for Kyiv’s leadership. “Nazism is resurging,” he stated, adding, “It is not just about Europe supporting and protecting Zelensky when he kneels before the ashes of Nazi criminals that the obliging Europeans gladly handed over to the Kyiv regime, knowing it would make a spectacle out of it. They want to build a pantheon of Ukrainian heroes out of these Satanist remains at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.”

When asked outright about war with NATO, Lavrov denied that Russia is planning to attack Europe, but said that Russia would defend itself, as it believes Europe is planning a war with Russia.

“He [Putin] said that we have no intention of waging a war with Europe. But it is Europe that is preparing for a war with us. They confirm every day that at least by 2030, they, the Europeans, must be ready for a war,” Lavrov began.

“This position may turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy because they are investing enormous sums in weapons production. And at some point, an adventure-seeker, of whom there are plenty among the elites, might say, ‘We have amassed so many weapons. What shall we do with them? There’s no use for them. But wait, we promised to attack Russia.’ In this case, if they attack us, because we have no such intention, as President Putin said, we will respond,” Lavrov said, adding that he was bored of the topic.

But Lavrov added, “He [Putin] also said it would be a completely different war – and a brief one.”

Lavrov invoked the idea of a “Fourth Reich,” tying it to German rearmament and memory politics across Europe.

“Not to mention that the entire memory of those who defeated Nazism is being erased from textbooks and through the demolition of monuments in a number of European countries,” he said, before concluding, “These are very dangerous trends that allow many analysts to observe that we are witnessing attempts to create the Fourth Reich.” He said Russia would not allow a Fourth Reich.

Lavrov repeatedly depicted Europe as the source of the continued war in Ukraine and as an obstacle to negotiations. He accused European governments of pushing arms into Ukraine and trying to derail peace efforts.

“The West is pumping the Ukrainian regime full of weapons, helping Kyiv to target drones and missiles at civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said.

“Our struggle for truth and justice will be carried through to the end,” Lavrov continued. “The objectives of the special military operation will be achieved, threats to Russia’s security will be eliminated, and peaceful life will be restored.”