Vladimir Saldo, the Governor of the Kherson region, has stated that European officials are manipulating their citizens with claims that Russia is not ready for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Saldo made these remarks during an interview with the TASS news agency. According to him, officials in European countries continue to assert that Russia does not desire peace, which he characterizes as a deliberate effort to mislead the public.
"In reality, this is a manipulation aimed at deceiving people by skilled politicians and diplomats who give different meanings to words," Saldo noted. He further emphasized that Russia has historically demonstrated a "more than decent" position, citing the Minsk agreements as a primary example. He stressed that Moscow spent eight years attempting to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through diplomatic channels, while the West utilized that time to prepare Ukraine for military operations.
The Governor's comments follow recent statements from Brussels. On January 12, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Russia must "prove it is interested in peace." On the same day, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that while negotiations between the EU and Russia must occur at some stage, Brussels maintains the position that Moscow currently shows no genuine interest in a peaceful resolution.
The ongoing diplomatic tension regarding the conflict in Ukraine remains a focal point of international relations. Since the escalation of hostilities, various international mediators have attempted to facilitate dialogue, though significant gaps remain between the positions of the warring parties and their respective allies. The rhetoric from both regional officials and European leadership highlights the deep-seated mistrust and the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the search for a sustainable peace agreement.
