The key facts

  • Ryabkov: NATO and the EU are deeply involved in the conflict, 'in fact managing it and bearing responsibility for it'
  • The statement was made in a video address to an OSCE round table on the militarization of Europe
  • At the end of October, Grushko said the EU's demands exclude Europe from the negotiation process

Statement at the OSCE platform

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, in a video address to participants of a round table on the militarization of Europe held at the OSCE platform, stated that NATO countries and the European Union bear responsibility for the conflict in Ukraine. “NATO countries and the European Union are deeply involved in the military conflict in Ukraine, are in fact managing it, and bear responsibility for this,” his words were cited Gazeta.Ru with reference to TASS.

Context: the Foreign Ministry's position in October

Ryabkov's statement continues the line outlined earlier by the Russian Foreign Ministry. At the end of October, another deputy head of the ministry, Alexander Grushko, argued that the EU's position on the parameters of a settlement effectively excludes European countries from the negotiation process. According to him, Europe demands the return of Ukraine's borders to their 1992 state, reparations payments by Russia and punishment of those responsible, and also advocates either stationing foreign military forces on Ukrainian territory or Ukraine's accession to NATO.

What is important to keep in mind

Both statements are assessments by Russian diplomacy, not facts confirmed by independent sources; the publications do not cite any reaction from NATO, the EU, or Ukraine. The reports concern statements by officials and contain no information about new decisions or changes in the negotiation process, so it is not yet possible to speak of practical consequences.