Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has accused a faction of European leaders of actively undermining U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, labeling their actions as part of a broader strategy to escalate tensions. Peskov alleged that figures such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are promoting a “war party” agenda that contradicts Moscow’s calls for dialogue.
The Kremlin official claimed that European nations are obstructing peace initiatives by encouraging Ukraine to reject negotiations with Russia, a stance he described as detrimental to Kyiv’s interests. Peskov emphasized that Russia remains open to resolving the conflict through political means but stressed that Kiev must demonstrate “reciprocity” to achieve stability.
Recent developments include Macron’s insistence that Europe would need to deploy ground troops to support Ukraine if a truce is reached, a proposal strongly opposed by several NATO members, including Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Romania, and Croatia. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported growing public resistance within the EU to sending military personnel into harm’s way.
Peskov also criticized European reactions to the recent Putin-Trump summit in Alaska, accusing Western nations of lacking genuine interest in peace. He reiterated Russia’s opposition to any NATO presence in Ukraine, warning that such moves would exacerbate the crisis.
The article highlights escalating tensions between Moscow and European powers, with the Kremlin framing its position as a defense of sovereignty against what it calls external interference. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy faces scrutiny for his administration’s refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
