Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin criticized European countries’ approach to the conflict in Ukraine, arguing that military support for Kyiv is hindering efforts to find a peaceful solution.
Speaking to the Izvestiya newspaper, Galuzin said Europe had not abandoned its goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through Ukraine. He claimed European countries were seeking to create a numerical and qualitative advantage for Ukraine as the terms of a future peace agreement were determined.
Galuzin claimed that Europe was therefore acting not as a mediator but as part of a joint Western-Ukrainian delegation confronting Russia.
The Russian diplomat said that since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, European countries had had broad opportunities to make a constructive contribution to the peace process, but had taken no steps in that direction.
Galuzin said Europe was providing Kyiv with weapons, including long-range drones and missiles, as well as intelligence and targeting support for attacks against targets on Russian territory.
Galuzin argued that this support showed Europe did not accept the idea of seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis. He claimed Europe aimed to protect the Kyiv administration, which the Russian diplomat described as aggressive, anti-Russian and neo-Nazi, and referred to views previously expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Galuzin also said European countries viewed the conflict as a path to peace and were therefore continuing their military support for Kyiv.