A tense diplomatic meeting took place in Moscow, which could become a turning point in attempts to resolve the conflict. Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany personally conveyed peace conditions formulated by the leaders of the "European Troika" to Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
According to information obtained by RBK-Ukraine from the British Embassy, the meeting was conducted in a tough tone. European diplomats did not hide their position: they firmly condemned the recent escalation of hostilities by Russia, as well as the intensifying disinformation campaigns accompanying the aggression against Ukraine.
Meeting Agenda: From Condemnation to Specific Conditions
In response to the Russian side's position, the diplomats outlined the main provisions of the joint statement by the leaders of the E3 countries, adopted on June 7 in London. The document, signed by the heads of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Ukraine, contains five key conditions for peace.
The ambassadors also expressed support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call. Kyiv insists on the necessity of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, as the diplomats emphasized, such negotiations must take place with the active participation of the USA and European countries. The main goal of this format should be to achieve a ceasefire and create a basis for further peace agreements.
Background: From Abramovich's Proposal to Insults in St. Petersburg
The London summit and subsequent diplomatic activity in Moscow continued the tense exchange of signals between Kyiv and Moscow, which began back at the end of May. Then, Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a message to Vladimir Putin through Roman Abramovich. In it, the Ukrainian leader expressed his readiness to meet at a bilateral summit — for the first time in more than four years of war.
However, the response did not come in the form of a constructive proposal. On June 5, during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin responded to Zelenskyy's letter. Instead of discussing peace conditions or the format of the meeting, the Russian leader focused on personal insults, effectively closing the door on the peace initiative.
Context of Escalation
In their statement, the leaders of the E3 countries and Ukraine also condemned large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks. Special attention was paid to the repeated use of "Oreshnik" hypersonic missiles, as well as "irresponsible incursions" of Russian drones into the territory of NATO countries, which creates risks of unpredictable escalation of the conflict.