Peace negotiations in Ukraine: Moscow says Paris wanted to establish a “dialogue” without kyiv

At a time when the possibility of peace negotiations is increasingly being mentioned, Moscow is pointing the finger at Paris. The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, affirmed Thursday that France had sought to establish “a dialogue on the Ukrainian question” with Russia, without involving kyiv.

Western countries, which seek to display a united front in their support for kyiv, have however repeatedly repeated that no decision can be taken on Ukraine behind its back. This Thursday, France also denied the Russian accusations. “The Russian authorities are accustomed to making inopportune comments aimed at exploiting a war of aggression for which they bear full responsibility. If Russia wants peace, it is up to it to put an end to the war,” reacted a French diplomatic source.

“I won’t go into details so as not to disappoint anyone, but on several occasions our French colleagues have launched appeals through confidential channels: let us help, let’s establish a dialogue on the Ukrainian question. Besides, without Ukraine,” Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference. A speech that would go against what “the West keeps repeating: not a word about Ukraine without Ukraine “, he added.

“We did not refuse,” said Sergei Lavrov, saying Russian officials were “ready to listen.” Sergei Lavrov did not indicate when these supposed contacts took place, nor exactly what subjects they related to. And France has so far not reacted to these allegations.

Lavrov evokes “ambiguous behavior” of France

The hypothesis of peace negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, triggered by the Russian assault of February 2022, is increasingly being mentioned less than a month before Donald Trump returns to the White House. The Republican, already president from 2017 to 2021, has repeatedly promised to restore peace in Ukraine “in 24 hours” and called for an “immediate ceasefire” as well as talks.

But the vagueness surrounding his plan arouses concern in Ukraine. In difficulty on the front and very dependent on Western aid, it fears being forced into an unfavorable agreement. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western unity at a summit in Brussels. “Only together can the United States and Europe truly stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” he said.

On Thursday, Sergei Lavrov, for his part, denounced France’s “ambiguous behavior” regarding the Ukrainian conflict. Because in parallel with the proposals for talks without kyiv, Paris is one of the European states which have raised the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine. This type of declaration “does not encourage us to take French positions seriously,” believes Sergei Lavrov.

Biden cautious about Ukraine’s membership in NATO

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Thursday during a televised press conference that his American counterpart Joe Biden had proposed to him in 2021 to “postpone Ukraine’s membership in NATO by 10-15 years”.

“I responded reasonably. yes, she is not ready today. But you will prepare him for it and you will accept him », added Vladimir Putin. However, for Russia, “what a difference, today, tomorrow or in ten years”, he estimated.

Moscow sees Ukraine’s membership in NATO as a red line. On the contrary, kyiv presents membership in the Alliance as essential for its security against Russia and is demanding an invitation as soon as possible.

The country has, however, recognized that its accession could come after the conflict with Russia, triggered by the Russian assault of February 2022. Washington and Berlin in particular are reluctant to any prospect of rapid accession.

At the beginning of December, the Kremlin again warned that Ukraine’s membership in NATO would constitute an “unacceptable” threat to Russia.