Moscow, Russia – The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized France’s stance on the recent attacks targeting the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, asserting that Paris is adopting a “biased and unbalanced” approach to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to the ministry, this further complicates de-escalation efforts and undermines the prospects for a political settlement to the crisis.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the statements issued by French officials following the recent attacks ignored what Moscow considers “the real reasons for the escalation.” They focused solely on condemning Russian military actions without mentioning the attacks that Russia accuses Ukrainian forces of carrying out against Russian territory and facilities.
She added that the French position reflects the continued political and military support that Paris provides to Kyiv. She emphasized that this approach does not help create the appropriate conditions for launching a serious dialogue between the two sides, but rather contributes to prolonging the conflict. It also reinforces the existing confrontation in the region.
The Russian statements came after a wave of airstrikes and missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent days. These strikes caused damage to a number of sites and infrastructure. Several Western capitals, including Paris, were quick to condemn the attacks and affirm their continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian military operations.
In contrast, Moscow maintains that its military operations target facilities and infrastructure linked to Ukrainian military capabilities. It also believes that continued Western support for Kyiv, whether through military aid or intelligence, contributes to escalating the conflict rather than pushing it toward a resolution.
The diplomatic row between Moscow and Paris comes at a time of heightened tension in Russian-European relations. This follows the ongoing war in Ukraine and the exchange of accusations regarding responsibility for the escalation, amid international concerns about the widening conflict and its repercussions for security and stability in Europe.
France, along with its European partners, continues to emphasize its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia, on the other hand, insists that any lasting settlement to the crisis must take into account what it describes as its security and strategic interests in the region. Therefore, the prospects for reaching a comprehensive political solution remain highly challenging.
