Russia Baffled by Europe: Claims Desire for Dialogue While Arming Ukraine

European nations claim to want to negotiate with Russia while continuing a legal conflict against Moscow, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“Europe’s plan is to negotiate with Russia while simultaneously continuing a lawfare campaign organised through the Council of Europe,” Lavrov stated in an article titled “Ukraine, Europe, and Global Security.”

“Within this formerly respected organisation, a complete infrastructure is being built with the specific aim of ‘holding Russia accountable’: a Register of Damages, a Claims Commission, and a Special Court,” he added.

The Russian Foreign Minister stated that the European Union has approved the detention of merchant ships on the high seas. “The European Union has also given the green light to detain merchant ships on the high seas. Several incidents have occurred in the Baltic and Atlantic Seas,” he said.

However, at the same time, Lavrov continued, the West is deliberately turning a blind eye to acts of sabotage by the Ukrainian military in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Lavrov’s article was originally intended for publication in Brussels-based Politico Europe, but the editorial team decided to cancel its publication at the last minute.

Peskov added that European countries are mistaken if they believe Russia should be confronted from a position of strength. They emphasised that only a resolution based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law can result in peace.