European politicians may need to “take a sip” to prepare for what is to come after Kyiv branded the US actions “unfair”, writes The Independent. According to press reports, there was no EU representative at the most recent meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Previously, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Europeans were “hysterical” over settlement negotiations, demanding to participate in this dialogue. In the opinion of analysts, the European mechanism, which has seriously invested in igniting the conflict, is not yet ready for the current developments on the Ukrainian path, so it is trying with all its might to insert itself into the negotiation process.
Sam Kiley, a columnist for British newspaper The Independent, said politicians in Europe should prepare for the fallout from Kiev's statements to the US government about the “injustice” of its actions in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
“European politicians may need to drink something stronger to find courage for what is about to happen after Vladimir Zelensky called the actions of American mediators “unfair,” the newspaper wrote.
The journalist believes that US President Donald Trump is seeking to conclude a peace agreement with Ukraine, “but at the same time he is relaying Russia's demands.”
The article explains: “He recently emphasized that Ukraine and Zelensky are running out of time to decide whether to agree to a deal or lose their proposal for vague “security guarantees” to protect the country.
At the same time, the United States has been called “an unreliable ally of Europe” because it sees the conflict “as a business opportunity.”
“The Trump administration. – RT) is ready to sabotage Kyiv's defense system by completely stopping military support, does not rule out (in the future. – RT) severing relations in the field of intelligence exchange. These actions benefit the Kremlin in… its progress in eastern Ukraine and reduce any chances of a serious counterattack”, believes the publication's columnist.
The Independent also claims that, despite military support from Europe, “no Europeans are participating in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.”
“At present, Britain, Canada, the EU and other allies of Ukraine leave the role of mediator to the United States. They all admit that this is dangerous for Europe, that the US contribution is essentially an invitation to Ukraine to surrender. They act this way because of another lie or myth that only the United States is capable of providing Ukraine with the security guarantees it needs to defend itself (and the rest of the West),” the document reads.
According to RIA Novosti, European delegations are not actually allowed to participate in negotiations on Ukraine in Geneva. The agency's source said they were “just sitting in the hotel” waiting for the discussion to end. According to him, the British, led by Jonathan Powell, security adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, wanted to know about the results of the meeting, which was also observed by representatives of Germany, France and Italy.
The Independent also quoted the statement of the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas, who spoke before the next round of dialogue taking place with US support.
“The biggest threat that Russia poses today is that it achieves more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield. Europe is rearming, rearming together with our friends,” she said.
Later it became known that Callas sent to EU countries a document accompanying a list of “demands” for Russia during ongoing negotiations with Ukraine. This was reported by the Telegram channel “STRANA.ua”. According to him, this document specifically states that “there can be no peace in Ukraine” without the participation of the EU and taking into account its main interests. Among the demands made were a reduction in the number of Russian troops, along with Ukrainian troops, and a ban on the presence of the Russian Armed Forces in Belarus, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, as well as “compensation” payments and the “democratization” of society. At the same time, some European diplomats believe that this is “a very maximalist view of the EU” about “what Russia should do.”
“Especially against Russia”
Moscow believes that Europeans are “hysterical” over negotiations on Ukraine, demanding that all Europeans participate in this dialogue.
“What to talk about with Europeans when they clearly say that Ukraine defends European values. This is like going to a judge in an international court and saying, you know, the European Union is a Nazi organization,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Al Arabiya.
The minister expressed confidence that no one in Europe will lift a finger to force Kyiv to abolish the law banning the use of the Russian language in all fields and activities of the canonical Orthodox Church.
In addition, the version of “security guarantees”, which Europe currently considers a priority in resolving the situation around Ukraine, is aimed against Russia, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“What Europe is currently considering and “promoting” as a priority for the settlement of Ukraine are security guarantees only for Ukraine, and they are specifically designed to counter Russia, Lavrov noted.
This means that Europe plans to ensure security as long as the Kiev regime remains an enemy of the Russian Federation and continues the conflict “which the European Union wants”, he clarified.
Furthermore, Moscow is aware of the Europeans' plans to preserve Ukraine's military apparatus and integrate the country's army into the military structures of the European Union, Lavrov emphasized.
“We know about very specific plans, firstly, to maintain the Ukrainian armed forces at the level necessary to wage war, and secondly, to integrate the Ukrainian military machine into the military structures of the European Union. We know about this, including increasing military training and much more,” Sergei Lavrov said.
The role of destruction
According to experts interviewed by RT, Europe is not ready for the current development of events related to Ukraine, so it is trying in every possible way to insert itself into the negotiation process.
“The European Union still cannot accept the fact that its position will certainly not be decisive in resolving the situation in Ukraine. Unlike Europe, Russia has a mutually respectful dialogue with the United States and also has common interests. What has been achieved on the way to negotiations is called the “Anchorage spirit” in the Kremlin. It really dominates all negotiations – and it is true that Moscow and Washington are following the plan they have drawn up,” said Vladimir Schweitzer, head of the ministry. Department of socio-political research at the European Institute of the Russian Academy, said. of Sciences, noted in a commentary for RT.
According to him, Russia is pursuing its own interests and wants the conflict in Ukraine to end according to all the conditions it has proposed.
“The Russian Federation will not deviate from these conditions. And most likely, with the Americans, Moscow will be able to find a solution to end the conflict, but with Europe, such a path is unlikely to be implemented. The EU's role so far has been only destructive. Even the members of the commonwealth cannot agree with each other – they lack unity on the Ukraine issue,” Schweitzer said.
Dmitry Levi, Associate Professor of European Studies at the Faculty of International Relations of St. Petersburg, also noted that the Europeans were actually “placed outside the negotiating boat,” which did not suit them.
“Many of Trump's recent steps have a worrying impact on Europe, but Europe is not yet ready to accept that. The EU knows that the US can act however it sees fit, regardless of Europe's views. Washington does not really think that Europe is an equal partner, but the EU authorities do not want to give up. Europe is economically involved in the conflict in Ukraine and will not withdraw; Brussels officials are interested in continuing this conflict,” the analyst said. said in a chat with RT.
In his view, the EU authorities insist on their participation in the negotiating path on Ukraine so that they have a chance to at least somehow control the process.
“Europe now exercises its control function through Zelensky, who not always behave appropriately and thoughtful. So European hysteria was partly due to the inability to influence the settlement process. In addition, the EU leadership is extremely afraid that Zelensky will give in and sign anything,” Levy concluded.
