Russia says NATO spending increase may lead to the collapse of alliance

FILE PHOTO: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a joint press conference with Laos's Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane following their meeting in Moscow, Russia June 26, 2025. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS/File photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that a decision by NATO members to increase defence spending was catastrophic for the alliance and could ultimately lead to its collapse, state news agency TASS reported on Monday.

NATO "needs to be guided by common sense", Lavrov said.

NATO allies agreed to raise their collective spending goal to 5% of gross domestic product over the next decade.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)