Lavrov Warns Europe Could Face a Short War as Putin Tensions Rise Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western leaders of pushing Putin to war and warned Europe could face a short war, amid ongoing strikes on Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Western leaders of pushing President Vladimir Putin toward war and warned that Europe could face a short war. Speaking at the UN in New York, Lavrov claimed that Europe is preparing for war with Russia and that a Third World War could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. His comments came hours after his first meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lavrov Accuses Germany of Fourth ReichLavrov, 76, accused Germany of seeking to create a Fourth Reich and fuel Nazism in Europe. He claimed that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said more than once that the goal is for Germany once again to become Europe's leading military power. Alluding to Hitler and the Second World War, Lavrov questioned whether Merz understands the meaning of once again.He alleged that European countries are erasing the memory of those who defeated Nazism from textbooks and removing their monuments. Lavrov told reporters at the UN that Europe is preparing for war with Russia and that by 2030 at the latest, Europeans must be ready for war. He said this could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy because they are investing huge amounts of money in weapons production.Implying the use of nuclear weapons, Lavrov said that if they attack Russia, it will be a completely different war, and it will be short. His warnings appeared to contradict claims from Putin that he has no intention of going to war on the continent.Wadephul Defends Dialogue with RussiaGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said after the meeting that he does not want Europeans to completely leave dialogue with Russia to the Americans. He explained that this was why he had the conversation. Wadephul demanded a halt to Russia's hybrid attacks.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that many intelligence services have information that the Russians want to expand their war and activities to other countries, possibly other regions. His warning came as Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine.Russia Escalates Attacks on UkraineIn overnight strikes, Russia sought to blow up Ukraine's high-tech data centres, a campaign which has already blacked out TV channels and threatened mobile internet. A mushroom-shaped cloud appeared in Kyiv after explosions in the Solomenskyi district. At least one person was killed. The office of the mobile operator and internet provider Vodafone was targeted in the Shevchenkivskyi district.Nato F-18 warplanes and an IAR-330 SOCAT helicopter were scrambled in Romania amid a threat from Russian drones close to the River Danube border with Ukraine. Two people were killed and another 28 injured, including children, in Russian army strikes using guided aerial bombs on Sumy in Ukraine. Putin's relentless strikes on civilians continued with three people killed and at least four injured in the Zaporizhzhia region.The conflict has intensified with Russia targeting mobile service servers and logistic hubs. Lavrov's remarks have heightened fears of a broader war in Europe, as he accused Western leaders of pushing Putin to war. The international community remains on high alert as diplomatic efforts falter.