Moscow has firmly rejected the conditions for resolving the conflict in Ukraine proposed by Britain, France and Germany, calling them unacceptable. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the European initiative is aimed at preventing genuine peace negotiations.
According to reports from Bloomberg, the three European powers, known as the E3, are planning to organize talks in July involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States and European states. London, Paris and Berlin reportedly want a ceasefire along the current front line and count on support from U.S. President Donald Trump to increase pressure on the Kremlin.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that ambassadors from the three countries have been seeking a meeting with his deputy. He expressed skepticism about their intentions, noting that their leaders have made offensive remarks about Russia. – We will meet them, we will listen. I am simply curious 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 – Lavrov said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.
Kremlin dismisses European peace initiative as insincere
Maria Zakharova went further, stating that the European leaders are taking a course aimed at preventing the creation of conditions for negotiations on a truly comprehensive, just and lasting peace. Referring to the joint statement by Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz following their meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in London, she said there was nothing new in it. – They tried to promote the same theses already in 2022-2024 at the Copenhagen and Burgenstock forums, supporting the dead end of the 'Zelensky formula’. Those forums have long been forgotten because they discredited themselves, initially not striving for peace but for war – Zakharova said.
Zakharova also cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who highlighted the contradictory stance 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 Kiev and generally supporting the militarization of Ukraine and Europe – she said. She added that Europe is demanding a seat at the negotiating table as part of a unified Western and Ukrainian delegation against Russia.
Europe looks to Washington for backing amid new sanctions push
Despite Moscow’s harsh rejection, European capitals are pressing ahead with their diplomatic and economic efforts. Britain and the European Union are working on another package of sanctions against Russia, expected to be adopted in the coming weeks. The key factor remains the position of the United States. European leaders hope that Donald Trump will endorse their proposals and help increase pressure on the Kremlin to force a settlement based on a freeze of the current front line.
The Bloomberg report indicates that the E3 are determined to hold face-to-face talks as early as next month, though Russia’s refusal to accept the proposed terms casts doubt on any breakthrough. The Kremlin maintains that any peace deal must recognize its territorial gains and security demands, which the West considers equivalent to capitulation.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
