Russia effectively at war with Nato, Lavrov says as he calls western weapons ‘legitimate targets’

UK minister brands claim ‘utter, utter nonsense’ and insists Nato is not organising donation of arms

Russia’s foreign minister has claimed Moscow is effectively at war with Nato amid the supply of western weaponry (Felipe Dana/AP)

Moscow says it is “in essence” at war with Nato after deliveres of western weapons to Ukraine.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claimed ongoing deliveries of supplies and weaponry to Ukraine meant the Nato alliance was “in essence engaged in war with Russia” and Moscow views these weapons as legitimate targets.

“These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia’s military acting within the context of the special operation,” he told state television in an interview posted on the foreign ministry’s website.