The State Duma explained the West's desire to discuss the Ukrainian conflict without Kiev

Paris's desire to discuss the Ukrainian conflict with Moscow without Kiev's participation may be explained by French President Emmanuel Macron's desire to better understand Russia's position and to take Germany's place in European politics. This opinion was expressed by Duma deputy Dmitry Novikov on Thursday, December 26.

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that French diplomats through closed channels offered help on the Ukrainian issue, reports 360.ru. The diplomat noted that with such offers Paris violated the rule of the West that no negotiations about the conflict in Ukraine can take place without Kiev's participation in them, Regnum news agency reported.

"First, this is due to the need to respond to the heterogeneous demands of French society, where there are supporters of different approaches, including on the Ukrainian conflict. Second, Macron is trying to find a place for himself in European politics as Germany weakens. It seems to Paris that it is time to close the initiative on itself," Novikov said in a conversation with Lenta.Ru.

According to the parliamentarian, the West has driven itself into a trap, recognizing conversations with Moscow only from a position of strength. Because of this, meaningful dialog at the official level has become almost impossible.

"It turned out that at this stage it is possible to talk meaningfully only under the veil of unofficial negotiations, where you can not call Ukraine, and only in this way to understand the position of Russia. It seems to Western politicians that this is the way to look for some more logic in the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow's behavior. Only through non-public contacts," the politician concluded.

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The day before, the deputy speaker of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, said that the decision on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict was likely to be taken not in Kiev, but in "higher oval offices".

Before that, on 18 December, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that the North Atlantic Alliance's intentions to geopolitically absorb Ukraine were blocking the way to a long-term settlement of the conflict. According to him, the root of the Ukrainian crisis lies in the expansion of NATO under Washington's leadership into the post-Soviet space.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced by Russia on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the background of the aggravated situation in the region.