The key facts

  • Alexander Grushko accused the West of intending to prolong the conflict in Ukraine
  • According to him, the doctrinal documents and military build-up of NATO and the EU show no readiness for joint security with Russia
  • Earlier, Putin told Stubb and Støre that the EU and NATO position is prolonging the settlement

Statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the West's real course, including that of the United States' allies, is aimed at prolonging the conflict in Ukraine rather than creating the prerequisites for its peaceful settlement. His remarks were reported by TASS, and Gazeta.Ru reported on the statement.

The essence of Moscow's complaints

According to the diplomat, Moscow sees no readiness — either in doctrinal documents, or in practical policy, or in the military build-up of NATO and EU member states — to build security together with the Russian Federation rather than against it. This statement continues the line previously voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin: as already reported, in a telephone conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, he said that the confrontational stance of the EU and NATO countries is prolonging the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The Kremlin did not specify how the Finnish and Norwegian leaders responded to this.

Context

Separately Gazeta.Ru, citing the Financial Times mentions the American Democrats' plans for multi-billion-dollar aid to Ukraine — this information relates to reports of an internal US discussion, not to comments by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The publication does not cite any assessments from Western sides regarding Grushko's words, so his statement so far remains a one-sided characterization of the West's position without any reaction in the materials presented.