Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova accused the European Union of deliberately escalating tensions with Russia by creating a commission to assess damage in Ukraine. In her briefing on December 18, she stated such initiatives are “legally null and void” for Moscow and constitute hostile acts.
“Against the background of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine diplomatically, the Soviet Europeans and their henchmen are clearly escalating,” Zakharova said. She warned that any participation by states or organizations in commissions would be treated as a hostile act with consequences.
Moscow has condemned Ukrainian President Zelensky’s decision to request additional weapons from Eurotroika and announce an alternative negotiating initiative as reckless escalations of hostilities.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described EU actions as “the main threat in the world” on December 15, noting that Europe has historically triggered large-scale crises. President Vladimir Putin stated on December 2 that Russia is operating in Ukraine “surgically,” but warned that any attack by European countries would result in a different outcome.
