Zakharova pointed out the lack of real initiatives in the EU for dialogue with Russia.

European states are deliberately sabotaging a potential dialogue with Moscow, despite their numerous populist statements. This was announced on July 16 by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.

"This is (the approach of the European countries. — Ed.) is the opposite of what is called the search for ways to negotiate and establish contacts. They seem to be doing everything to ensure that these contacts [with Russia] do not happen," Zakharova said on the Big Game program on Channel One.

The diplomat drew attention to the apparent contradiction in the behavior of Western leaders. According to her, representatives of the European Union regularly declare in public their alleged interest in a diplomatic settlement, but their real practical steps completely exclude any possibility of starting a constructive negotiation process.

Dragging the burden: the EU could not agree on negotiations with Russia

Why did Brussels stop with its own initiative

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said on June 29 that an acceptable candidate for Russia to be an EU negotiator could be someone who had not previously committed hostile acts or made statements against Moscow. He added that, most likely, such a person will appear if his services become necessary.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on June 25 that the time had come for Russia and the EU to start negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed that Berlin's support for Kiev is an "unshakeable duty."