On May 21 (Moscow time), according to TASS news agency, Mr. Rodion Miroshnik - Mobile Ambassador of the Russian Foreign Ministry - said that many European countries are trying to undermine all negotiation efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine by peaceful means.
Speaking during a business trip to Bangkok, Mr. Miroshnik said that recent statements by the European Union (EU) and the E3 group including the UK, Germany and France show a "will to hinder the negotiation process at all costs".
According to the Russian diplomat, despite publicly calling for dialogue, European countries continue to pass additional sanctions packages against Moscow, while providing billions of USD in loans to Ukraine, training soldiers and increasing arms supplies to Kiev.
There is an old rule of looking at the actions of politicians instead of their words. What the EU is doing shows that they are completely unwilling to follow the path of peace," Mr. Miroshnik said.
Russian officials believe that if the West stops providing financial and military support to Ukraine, the conflict could end soon. According to him, this is "no longer a secret" and has been recognized by many Western politicians as well as international observers.
Mr. Miroshnik emphasized that just declaring wanting dialogue with Russia is not enough, but specific steps are needed to end support for the conflict.
Previously, the Financial Times reported that EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the possibility of choosing a mediator for negotiations with Russia in an informal meeting held in Cyprus on May 27-28.
Some figures mentioned include former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is a suitable candidate for a mediating role between Russia and the EU. Mr. Putin also affirmed that Moscow "has never closed its doors to dialogue".
