Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko said the EU’s position on a final settlement of the Ukraine conflict effectively excludes Europeans from the negotiating process. He referenced reports that European states were discussing envoys to hold talks with President Putin and said, “If you want peace, you should first stop supporting the Kyiv regime.” Grushko said the EU’s stated settlement demands would: restore borders to their 1992 limits; require Russia to pay reparations and punish those responsible;

Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko said the EU’s position on a final settlement of the Ukraine conflict effectively excludes Europeans from the negotiating process. He referenced reports that European states were discussing envoys to hold talks with President Putin and said, “If you want peace, you should first stop supporting the Kyiv regime.” Grushko said the EU’s stated settlement demands would: restore borders to their 1992 limits; require Russia to pay reparations and punish those responsible; and permit deployment of foreign forces on Ukrainian territory if Ukraine cannot join NATO. He added the EU’s current policy goal is to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia—containing it, depriving it of development resources and cutting strategic transit lines.