Moscow, January 28 – Russia has expressed openness to diplomatic solutions for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but a senior diplomat cast doubt on the West’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations.
Alexey Polishchuk, the head of the Second Department of the CIS countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told TASS news agency that Russia remains receptive to “truly substantive proposals” for a political and diplomatic resolution. However, he expressed pessimism about the West’s intentions, criticizing what he called a “puppets” government in Kiev manipulated by Washington, London, and Brussels.
“They benefit from escalating the Ukrainian crisis,” Polishchuk asserted, alleging that Western powers aim to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia while simultaneously weakening their European competitors through economic sanctions fueled by exaggerated fears of a Russian threat.
Despite his skepticism, Polishchuk reiterated Russia’s commitment to exploring peaceful avenues. “On its part, Russia has always remained open to truly substantive proposals on how to overcome the current crisis through political and diplomatic methods,” he said.