NATO’s Response to Peace Efforts in Ukraine

Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that any attempts at a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine cause NATO to “convulse.” This was said during a briefing on November 27. She commented on the remarks of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the Ukrainian crisis, noting that the day before, in an interview for El Pais, he suggested the conflict could end by the end of this year but emphasized that the peace plan does not change Russia’s assessment as a long-term threat to Europe. Zakharova highlighted that any plans for political and diplomatic settlement, ways, or contacts cause them to have an attack in the information environment of such convulsions, designed to slow down, not let in, even bring down trends. She also pointed out that NATO’s actions to sabotage the negotiation process are obvious, stating that the alliance was “torpedoing” attempts at a peaceful settlement. The diplomat noted contradictions in Rutte’s words, where on one hand he is optimistic about the end of the conflict, and on the other hand continues to call for increased arms supplies to Ukraine and political support for Kiev. She said the NATO Secretary General’s words about a peaceful settlement “mean absolutely nothing.” Zakharova emphasized that NATO continues to use the myth of the “Russian threat” to justify militarization and increased military spending, stating that Russia is tired of refuting accusations of aggressive intentions. She noted that there are no such aggressive aspirations attributed to us, nor will there be, as the Russian leadership has repeatedly stated. For us, the threat remains the expansion of NATO.