Russia bluntly dismisses EU's "peace talk show": stance unchanged, aiming only to buy time for Ukraine

An official from Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that the EU has made no adjustments to its initial position on negotiations with Russia. The calls for dialogue are merely internal speculation, with the real intention being to grant Ukrainian forces breathing room and maintain the anti-Russia containment front.

Vladislav Maslennikov, Head of the Department of European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with Izvestia that although there have been recent calls within Europe for resuming direct dialogue, the EU’s initial position regarding possible negotiations with Russia has undergone no change whatsoever.

Maslennikov pointed out: “As for resuming direct dialogue, everything so far remains limited to speculative discussions within the EU about potential negotiation representatives. We do not take these statements seriously, as the initial stance of European officials shows no shift—completely ignoring our interests and reducing demands to unrealistic, detached requirements against Russia. With European leaders showing no willingness for honest discussion of our concerns, they instead use accusations of our lack of readiness for talks as a cover.”

The diplomat emphasized that a typical example of the EU’s attitude toward peace efforts is the sanctions imposed in 2025 on the Russian delegation head at the Istanbul negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. He noted that the sanctioning basis explicitly referenced the official’s participation in the negotiations.

Maslennikov added: “All EU actions concerning negotiations clearly serve only one purpose—to provide operational breathing space for the Ukrainian military, desperately trying to save Zelenskyy’s regime, and preserving Ukraine as a ‘buffer’ to contain Russia. In reality, this continues to pose a threat to our national security.”

He concluded by stating that Russia would only be ready to engage in dialogue when European countries demonstrate genuine intent to improve relations. Moscow insists that European nations must recognize existing realities, cease unfriendly actions toward Russia, abandon their anti-Russian stance, including ending attempts to interfere in Russia’s internal affairs.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875090391333896/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.