Fostering Russia's defence potential in a volatile world "is not a question of status but a vital necessity", as it is the only way to guarantee its national security, Xinhua quoted Lavrov while speaking at a meeting of the Foreign and Defense Policy Council.
The growing confrontational sentiment around the Euro-Atlantic region would lead to a deadlock which was not of Russia's choice, he said, adding Moscow was concerned with the accumulating elements of tensions and higher intensity of international conflicts.
Meanwhile, Russia is clear about the consequences of external military intervention in domestic affairs of other countries bypassing the UN Security Council, Lavrov said.
The imposition of one's own political and socio-economic system on other countries could cause opposite response and reinforce extremist forces, he warned.