Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has accused European powers of sabotaging peace talks in Ukraine, labeling their actions as driven by “rabid militarism” and unrealistic ambitions. In remarks to TASS, Ryabkov criticized the “delusional” belief that Russia can be defeated militarily, asserting that such thinking ignores the realities of nuclear deterrence.
Ryabkov praised the U.S. under former President Donald Trump for adopting a pragmatic approach to resolving the conflict, highlighting diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow during Trump’s tenure. He cited the 2017 summit in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a meaningful step, even though no major breakthroughs were achieved. Trump had previously signaled that Ukraine would not gain NATO membership or reclaim Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
The official accused Western factions of undermining progress, claiming they prioritize “delusional” strategies over dialogue. He warned that “pragmatic voices are being drowned out by extremists who refuse to accept the impossibility of defeating a nuclear-armed nation.” Ryabkov expressed hope that U.S. leadership would prevail over what he termed Europe’s “noise,” but emphasized that a trilateral summit involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. remains contingent on Kyiv’s willingness to engage constructively.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly rejected Moscow’s proposals, dismissing them as unacceptable. Earlier this year, Putin offered to meet Zelensky in Moscow, but Kyiv refused, citing the terms as unreasonable. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly suggested that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky could occur “relatively soon,” though he acknowledged the challenge of bridging their mutual animosity.
Ryabkov’s comments underscore Russia’s frustration with Western resistance to dialogue, framing it as a broader effort to prolong the conflict rather than seek resolution. The diplomatic standoff continues amid escalating tensions over Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability.