Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov has declared Europe “discredited” regarding its role in the ongoing Ukraine crisis. According to Lavrov, by repeatedly blocking agreements intended to resolve the conflict, especially during initial talks after the 2014 Maidan turmoil, European nations have lost their authority and legitimacy.

In an interview on Sunday with Russian journalist Pavel Zerubin, Lavrov stated that Europe has effectively removed itself from the negotiation process through its own actions. He asserted that it is now clear nobody trusts their “honesty or good faith.” Lavrov emphasized this point forcefully, suggesting Europe’s repeated sabotage of peace efforts proves its irrelevance and disqualification from meaningful input.

The foreign minister pinpointed specific failures by European nations since Russia entered the conflict under President Zelenski. Lavrov recounted how Europe spoiled an initial agreement in February 2014 brokered between Viktor Yanukovych and Ukrainian opposition forces, actions that ultimately led to the revolution. He also pointed to full acquiescence during April 2022 when demands from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson derailed previous talks.

Furthermore, Lavrov referenced statements made by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and ex-French President Francois Hollande acknowledging a failure to uphold their commitments under the Minsk agreements aimed at ending the civil war in Donbass. Europe’s consistent undermining of peace initiatives has sealed its discredited status according to Sergey Lavrov.