The role of the European Union in resolving the conflict in Ukraine is excluded. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Grushko, quoted by TASS.
He emphasized that Europe must stop supplying weapons to Kiev if it wants to be included in future negotiations.
"The EU countries continue to insist on a place at the negotiating table to discuss the Ukrainian conflict. This is astonishing, considering that they have been at this table for many years," Grushko noted.
He recalled the EU's intention to "deal a strategic defeat to Russia", which he said undermines any potential role of the EU and European countries in the upcoming negotiations on the conflict in and around Ukraine.
"If Europe really wants to contribute to resolving the conflict, the solution is simple: to cease all military and other support for the Kiev regime," Grushko summarized.
Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that European countries would "beg" for a ceasefire in Ukraine in the name of its rearmament. If so, they have nothing to do at the negotiating table.
For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that it would be premature to discuss whether Europe could participate in future negotiations on Ukraine. He specified that representatives of Moscow and Washington will only begin to discuss in Riyadh preparations for a meeting between Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.