The Kremlin on Thursday said European countries are prioritising militarisation rather than seeking peace.
This comes as Western military chiefs gathered in Britain to discuss how to protect Ukraine.
Major European powers, including France and the UK, have sought to strengthen military spending since US President Donald Trump took office in January, amid fears that the US is no longer committed to European defence.
As Trump builds closer ties with the Kremlin, Russia has reportedly redirected much of its anger over the three-year Ukraine conflict towards Europe, accusing the EU and the UK of being the main obstacles to peace.
“For the most part, the signals from Brussels and European capitals concern plans to militarise Europe.
“Europe has embarked on a militarisation of itself and has turned into something of a war party,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, co-leader of efforts to form the coalition of the willing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to address a meeting of roughly 30 military officials later.
Both Starmer and Macron have stated they are willing to deploy peacekeepers in Ukraine following a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, an idea Russia has vehemently rejected.
The French leader has also said he would open discussions on extending France’s nuclear umbrella to the entire EU.
Russia’s Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Security Council, said on Thursday that such statements reflect the anti-Russian sentiment that prevails in Europe today.
