MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The role of the European Union in resolving the conflict in Ukraine is ruled out. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, stated that Europe must halt its arms supplies to Kiev, if it wishes to be included in future negotiations.
"The EU countries continue to demand a place at the negotiating table where the Ukrainian conflict is to be discussed. This is astonishing, considering they have been at this table for many years," Grushko remarked.
He also noted the EU's intention to "inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," which he believes undermines any potential role for the EU and European countries in the upcoming negotiations regarding the conflict in and around Ukraine.
"If Europe genuinely wants to contribute to the resolution of the conflict, the solution is straightforward: cease all military and other forms of support for the Kiev regime," Grushko concluded.
The day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that European countries would be "begging" for a ceasefire in Ukraine for the sake of its rearmament. If so, they have nothing to do at the negotiating table. For his part, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitriy Peskov said it would be premature to discuss whether Europe could participate in future negotiations on Ukraine. He pointed out that representatives from Moscow and Washington would only start discussing in Riyadh preparations for a meeting between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.