Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Europe is becoming a major threat to international peace and security due to its military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov indicated Russia's readiness for dialogue with the EU, reiterating claims that Europe is prolonging the conflict.
Russia's rhetoric signals a hardening stance on the Ukraine conflict, framing European support as a direct threat and questioning US mediation efforts. This escalates diplomatic tensions and underscores the significant challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that Europe is increasingly becoming a "major threat to international peace and security" due to its provision of military support to Ukraine. He also stated that the United States is no longer attempting to be an "objective mediator" in brokering an end to Russia's war against Ukraine, instead pursuing escalating sanctions pressure.
Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov echoed these sentiments, asserting that Russia is prepared for dialogue with the European Union. He reiterated the Kremlin's narrative that Europe, rather than Moscow, is responsible for prolonging the conflict. US-led talks aimed at resolving Russia's invasion of Ukraine remain stalled, with President Donald Trump reportedly focusing on the Middle East.
European Council President António Costa had previously defended his decision to initiate a diplomatic channel with the Kremlin to assess the viability of peace negotiations, a possibility his team concluded is not currently feasible. While Costa's office did not confirm specific contacts, it is understood that Ushakov was the Russian official involved. Ushakov did not comment on potential contact with Costa's team but accused Brussels of attempting to undermine agreements from the "Anchorage formula" reached at a summit between Trump and Putin last August. Moscow maintains that Washington agreed to this loosely defined set of understandings for freezing the front lines and reducing Western military aid to Kyiv, a claim US officials have not acknowledged.
A primary condition set by Moscow for peace talks is Ukraine's withdrawal of forces from the eastern Donbas region, territory Russia has sought to occupy since 2014. Ukrainian forces continue to control parts of this territory and have rejected any surrender.