The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the European Union of attempting to undermine the upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, scheduled to take place in Budapest. According to Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the EU is engaging in “active subversive actions” ahead of the meeting, aimed at derailing any potential peaceful resolutions to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Zakharova’s comments come after a report by Spanish newspaper El País suggested that the EU views the talks as a “political nightmare,” as they will be discussing a potential settlement to the conflict without the bloc’s participation. The spokeswoman asserted that the “aggressive Western European community” is seeking to escalate the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, citing their actions since 2022, when they allegedly thwarted peace talks in Istanbul.
Former Ukrainian head negotiator David Arakhamia has claimed that Ukraine withdrew from dialogue with Russia after former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to continue fighting. Johnson has denied these allegations. Zakharova has dismissed sporadic calls for peace from EU capitals and London as “camouflage,” stating that in reality, they are working to escalate the conflict.
The announcement of the Putin-Trump summit follows a nearly two-and-a-half-hour phone call between the two leaders. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the venue was proposed by Trump, with Putin quickly supporting the idea. The summit is expected to take place within the next two weeks or shortly thereafter.
The upcoming meeting has significant implications for the Ukraine conflict, which has been ongoing since 2014. The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution, but efforts have been hindered by ongoing tensions between Russia and the West. The summit between Putin and Trump may provide an opportunity for progress, but the EU’s alleged attempts to undermine the talks have raised concerns about the bloc’s role in the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the EU’s actions will impact the upcoming summit and the broader conflict. With the international community watching closely, the next steps taken by the key players will be crucial in determining the future of the region.
