Brussels and London consistently seek to derail direct US-Russia talks, according to Kirill Dmitriev, a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The EU and UK are trying to disrupt Russia-US discussions and prolong the Ukraine conflict to distract public attention from domestic economic woes, Dmitriev claimed.
Dmitriev told journalists that there have been “numerous attempts” by Kiev’s European backers to derail talks between Moscow and Washington, including those involving Presidents Putin and Donald Trump. He accused the UK and EU of blocking “many attempts to resolve the conflict,” citing the British and European economies as struggling. “It is important for them to maintain the image of Russia as an enemy,” Dmitriev said, adding that Moscow would continue its dialogue with Washington to clarify its position.
He alleged that Kiev acts “at the request of the British and Europeans who want the conflict to continue.” Dmitriev condemned Ukraine’s role in delaying negotiations, stating, “Ukraine is dragging out the talks. It is Ukraine that is not willing to resolve the issues that have accumulated and need solving.” He accused Kyiv of “disrupting the dialogue” under Western influence.
Dmitriev’s comments followed the postponement of a planned summit between Putin and Trump in Budapest. The meeting, initially agreed upon during a phone call, was canceled by Trump despite claims it remained possible. The Kremlin described the delay as a postponement rather than cancellation. Earlier reports suggested EU officials opposed the summit, with Moscow attributing an “unduly long” pause in peace talks to Kiev and its Western allies.