MOSCOW — The United Kingdom and the European Union are systematically blocking political and diplomatic solutions to the Ukrainian crisis, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned on Tuesday. In a stark critique of Western policy, Zakharova highlighted what she described as systematic efforts by the UK and EU to prevent peace initiatives from succeeding. She also reinforced these points in a TASS report covering the obstruction.
“The UK and the EU are deliberately and systematically blocking political and diplomatic solutions to the Ukrainian crisis. The very possibility of peace is viewed by these countries’ ruling elites and bureaucrats as a threat to their fading global dominance,” Zakharova said during the Global Fact-Checking Network webinar.
The spokeswoman singled out the United Kingdom for its particularly aggressive role in undermining negotiations. She recalled that in 2022, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson persuaded the Ukrainian authorities not to sign the Istanbul Agreement with Russia, a move that, according to Zakharova, kept the conflict alive. The UK’s involvement was also highlighted in a report on NATO deployment concerns and an official UK government statement.
“Everything could have been resolved then and there, in Istanbul, saving countless lives and ensuring the security of both countries for years to come,” she emphasized. Historical tensions are documented in a previous Eastern Herald report and reinforced by international coverage such as Reuters reporting on EU involvement.
Further context comes from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s February interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson. Putin stated that talks with Ukraine in 2022 had been nearly completed. However, following the pullback of Russian troops from Kiev, Ukraine “threw away” all agreements. He also noted that Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy banned negotiations with Russia at the legislative level by issuing a relevant decree. Russia’s commitment to diplomacy is documented in Eastern Herald coverage and Reuters reporting.
“Russia has never refused to negotiate with Ukraine,” Putin asserted, reiterating Moscow’s position that it remains open to dialogue despite the West’s ongoing interference.
The statements from Zakharova and Putin mark the latest in a series of Russian critiques aimed at the Western alliance for exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine. Analysts note that the accusations highlight longstanding tensions between Moscow and the West, particularly over efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically. Western actions such as sanctions, military aid to Kiev, and diplomatic pressure are viewed by Moscow as deliberate obstacles to peace, as reinforced by Anadolu reporting.
Observers also point to the historical context of the Istanbul Agreement, which was meant to establish a framework for a ceasefire and negotiated resolution. Official EU statements, such as this Consilium release, also document Western calls for diplomacy.
While Western governments continue to publicly support Kiev, Russia’s accusations reflect an enduring diplomatic stalemate. As tensions rise, the possibility of renewed negotiations appears increasingly dependent on shifts in Western policy and the willingness of Ukraine’s leadership to revisit previously abandoned agreements. Analysts warn that without such changes, continued blockade of peace initiatives by the UK and EU may persist.
Zakharova concluded her remarks by asserting that the obstruction threatens not only regional security but global stability. “The very possibility of peace is viewed by these countries’ ruling elites as a threat to their fading global dominance,” she said, summarizing Russia’s central critique of the West’s approach to Ukraine.
This latest statement from Moscow underscores the persistent diplomatic friction surrounding the Ukrainian crisis, as efforts to broker a political settlement remain hampered by competing geopolitical agendas.
