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The article was cancelled by Politico-Eurpope, before it was published, but a Russian news agency has quoted the content.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has penned a sharp critique intended for Brussels-based media outlet Politico Europe, but the publication canceled it at the last minute, Russian news agency TASS reports.
In the article, titled “Ukraine, Europe and Global Security,” Lavrov leveled heavy accusations against European leadership. He argued that Western powers are entirely insincere about wanting peace.
“The real objective of Europe’s leaders, then, is not to negotiate with Russia. It is to shore up the Zelensky regime and preserve it as a launchpad for continued confrontation against Russia,” Lavrov stated.
Freezing the fight
According to the Russian foreign minister, any current talk of peace from the West is merely a tactical stalling device.
He claims Europe just wants to save a crumbling Ukrainian military.
The freezing of the front lines in Ukraine has been mentioned as a possible way of starting the peace negotiations, but Lavrov claims that this would not solve the core issues.
The Kremlin has repeatedly referred to the core issues of the conflict as Western encroachment on the Russian sphere of influence (eastern NATO expansion) and the “denazification” of Ukraine.
Once the front lines quiet down, Lavrov alleges that an Anglo-French coalition will rapidly deploy troops directly onto Ukrainian soil.
He pointed to recent comments from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as proof, arguing that her statements show Europe only wants to dictate harsh terms, including forcing Russia to pay reparations and slashing its military size.
In May, Kallas said at a press conference that “there can be no just and lasting peace without accountability for Russia”.
Legal warfare fears
The diplomatic friction extends far beyond the borders of Ukraine. Moscow claims that European nations are using international institutions to mount a coordinated legal assault against Russia.
“Europe’s plan is to talk with Russia while simultaneously pressing ahead with a campaign of legal warfare orchestrated through the Council of Europe,” Lavrov wrote, pointing to new tribunals meant to hold Moscow accountable.
Lavrov also accused the EU of giving the green light to detain merchant ships in the Baltic and Atlantic.
Meanwhile, he claimed the West intentionally ignores maritime sabotage by Ukrainian forces.
