Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused European countries of exploiting the Ukraine crisis to impose their own political agenda and obstruct efforts by the United States and other actors seeking a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
In remarks reported on Monday, Lavrov said Europe is once again attempting to dictate its conditions under the pretext of the Ukrainian crisis. He argued that European powers are using the war to assert influence on the international stage, while deliberately placing obstacles in the way of US-led initiatives and any attempts aimed at reaching what he described as a fair and balanced settlement.
“Unfortunately, Europe is once again trying to impose its terms and desires, ostensibly linked to the Ukrainian crisis,” Lavrov said. “In reality, it is exploiting the situation to expand its influence, obstruct the United States and anyone striving for a just settlement, and conspire against such efforts.”
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position that a lasting resolution to the conflict must be based on a comprehensive package of agreements that guarantees long-term and sustainable peace, while taking into account the security interests of all parties involved. Moscow, he said, remains committed to a framework that addresses what it views as the root causes of the crisis rather than temporary or unilateral arrangements.
The Russian foreign minister also complained of what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding diplomatic efforts related to Ukraine. He said speculation, falsehoods, and deliberate distortions are being circulated with the primary aim of blocking negotiations and prolonging the war. According to Lavrov, these narratives are designed to sabotage initiatives by the United States, including proposals put forward by President Donald Trump, which he claimed are genuinely intended to seek solutions and tackle the underlying drivers of the conflict.
“These lies and fabrications are meant to prevent a negotiated solution and to extend the conflict, including by undermining US initiatives and President Trump’s efforts to honestly search for ways out of the Ukrainian crisis,” Lavrov said.
The criticism was echoed by Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, who offered an even harsher assessment of Western positions. Dmitriev claimed that bureaucrats within NATO, the European Union, and the United Kingdom would rather risk a global confrontation than allow Trump to succeed in brokering peace in Ukraine.
The comments reflect Moscow’s broader narrative that Western Europe is acting as a spoiler in diplomatic efforts, prioritizing geopolitical influence over de-escalation. They also underline growing rhetorical tensions between Russia and European capitals at a time when international discussions over the future of the Ukraine conflict remain deeply divided and politically charged.
