Russia has firmly dismissed the latest European initiative to end the war in Ukraine, describing the conditions put forward by Britain, France and Germany as categorically unacceptable. The Kremlin’s spokesperson made the statement as reports emerged that the three European powers are pushing to launch negotiations as early as next month.
According to information published by Bloomberg on Thursday, the so-called E3 group – the United Kingdom, France and Germany – intends to organise talks in July aimed at ending the conflict. The plan reportedly envisions freezing the war along the current front line and counting on support from U.S. President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed on Wednesday that ambassadors from the three European countries had requested a meeting with his deputy. He expressed scepticism about the sincerity of the Western overture, noting that the political leaders of those states had previously made insulting remarks about Russia and engaged in personal attacks.
Russia sees no path to constructive dialogue
– We will meet with them, we will listen. I am simply curious about how these people will present anything that could lead to constructive conclusions, after their superiors have said offensive things about Russia and repeatedly resorted to personal attacks – said Sergei Lavrov, as quoted by the RIA Novosti agency.
On Thursday, Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, removed any remaining ambiguity. She stated that the European course is aimed at preventing the creation of conditions for genuine, comprehensive, just and lasting peace. She added that the joint statement issued by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after their Sunday meeting in London with Volodymyr Zelenskyy contains nothing new.
– They tried to promote the same theses already in 2022–2024 at the Copenhagen and Bürgenstock forums, supporting the dead-end 'Zelenskyy formula’. Those forums have long been forgotten because they discredited themselves, originally aiming not for peace but for war – Zakharova said, as cited by TASS.
Contradictions in Europe’s stance, according to Moscow
Zakharova also referred to a comment by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who – as she noted – pointed out the contradictory position of France, Germany and Britain. – In their statement, the leaders pretend to call for peace, but in reality they present conditions that are unacceptable from the outset, while increasing the production of long-range weapons for Kyiv and generally supporting the militarisation of Ukraine and Europe – she said.
She further argued that Europe is demanding a seat at the negotiating table, in effect as part of a united Western and Ukrainian delegation against Russia.
According to Bloomberg, the European capitals hope to arrange a meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States and European states as early as next month. However, the position of Washington remains crucial. European leaders expect Donald Trump to support their proposals and help step up pressure on the Kremlin. At the same time, the United Kingdom and the European Union are working on another package of sanctions against Russia, which could be adopted within the coming weeks.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
