Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a Feb. 12 interview that his country "must be ready" for a possible "break with the European Union," according to a transcript released by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Lavrov, such a break could be triggered by new EU sanctions, particularly those "that create risks for our economy, including in the most sensitive areas." Lavrov added that, "If you want peace, prepare for war." The Kremlin's spokesperson later told reporters that Lavrov's comments had been taken out of context and blamed the media for publishing a "sensational headline, even though the Russian Foreign Ministry published the original transcript.