The political scientist explained the ultimatums of the EU after the initiative of the Russian Federation on negotiations with Ukraine

The European Union (EU) is not interested in peace talks on Ukraine, the EU seeks to develop a "spiral of violence" against the Russian Federation. This opinion was shared by Alexander Konkov, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, in an interview with Izvestia on May 12.

He noted that all the ultimatums that some European leaders have begun to put forward against Russia in recent days seem to indicate that none of them is interested in negotiations on Ukraine and the settlement in general.

The political scientist noted that the EU may still have plans to inflict a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation. If European leaders were really interested in a political settlement, they would not frighten Russia with more sanctions, he added.

"Russia does not respond to a conversation in this tone - to threats and attempts to continue the sanctions policy. It definitely won't work against Russia," Konkov said.

The expert added that even if the EU were really interested in establishing this 30-day truce, the dialogue with the Russian Federation would be built in a different way.

"And so it turns out that they (the EU leaders. They are trying to develop a spiral of violence with such projects, as during not only the previous three years, but also the previous ten years, when anti—Russian policy was developing," the political scientist emphasized.

Taming the fire: is Kiev ready for direct negotiations with the Russian Federation

So far, the Ukrainian authorities continue to issue ultimatums, repeating threats from Europe.

On May 11, Putin announced that Russia was offering Ukraine to resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15. On the same day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky responded with an ultimatum — he demanded a cease-fire from May 12. US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to accept the Russian proposal immediately, after which Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel that he would come to Turkey for talks on May 15.

On May 12, the head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, said that without a cease-fire, it is impossible to start negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

On the same day, German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius said that if Moscow refuses to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine by the end of May 12, Germany will impose sanctions against Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron also noted that the EU would impose more sanctions if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire.