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A senior Russian diplomat has said Moscow is not seeking to force Kyiv into negotiations, but rather aims for a peaceful settlement through dialogue with what he called Ukraine's "overseas curators." The remarks, made in an interview with TASS during a working visit to Bangkok, come amid ongoing international efforts to find a mediated solution to the conflict.

Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime, told TASS that "the idea is actually not to pressure Kiev into talks. The idea is to achieve a peaceful settlement." He suggested that Kyiv's role in the negotiation process is often exaggerated, arguing that Ukraine's leadership has been "sponsored by overseas patrons."

Coverage Comparison

The statements were carried exclusively by Russia's state news agency TASS, which published two separate articles covering Miroshnik's remarks. The first article focused on Russia's approach to negotiations, while the second emphasized his accusations that European countries are seeking to "sabotage" peace efforts. Both articles rely heavily on direct quotes from the diplomat, and no independent verification or additional sources are included.

Given that TASS is a state-owned outlet, the reports reflect official Russian positions. Other international news agencies have not yet reported on these specific remarks, so the claims remain sourced solely to Miroshnik's interview.

Key Claims

Miroshnik made several assertions during the interview:

  • He accused European countries of seeking to "sabotage any negotiations" on a peaceful settlement, citing official statements from EU leaders and the E3 group (the United Kingdom, Germany, and France). He argued that despite claims of wanting talks, European nations continue to impose sanctions, allocate loans, and supply weapons to Ukraine.
  • He claimed that Ukraine has received 90 billion euros in financial support, which has diminished Kyiv's appetite for negotiations. This figure was provided by the diplomat and has not been independently confirmed.
  • He warned that Europe's large-scale financial support for Ukraine would negatively impact the wellbeing of EU citizens, questioning the efficiency of the eurozone and suggesting that "foolhardy projects" could lead to a larger collapse.
  • He stated that Western funding is crucial for the continuation of the war, asserting that "if Western funding stops, the war will end." This claim is presented as his opinion.
  • He referenced an upcoming informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on May 27-28 in Cyprus, where candidates for a possible mediator role in talks with Russia are expected to be discussed, as previously reported by the Financial Times.

Perspectives

Miroshnik's remarks represent the official Russian stance, which consistently frames the conflict as a proxy war driven by Western support for Ukraine. His assertion that Russia is not pressuring Kyiv into talks contrasts with Western narratives that portray Moscow as the primary obstacle to negotiations. Western officials have repeatedly called on Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue, while Russia has criticized Western military aid as prolonging the conflict. The diplomat's dismissal of Kyiv's agency in the negotiation process also reflects a broader Russian narrative that decisions regarding Ukraine are made in Western capitals.

It is worth noting that Miroshnik's title, "Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime," is itself a reflection of Russia's characterization of the Ukrainian government, which is not recognized internationally. His statements should be viewed in this context.

As of now, no response from Ukrainian or Western officials has been reported in the available sources.