Russia Says US Is No Longer Objective Mediator in Ukraine

Russia has accused the United States of no longer acting as an impartial mediator in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, The Moscow Times reported. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Washington appeared to be abandoning that role and was instead increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow.

His remarks followed a G7 summit in France, where leaders agreed to increase pressure on Russia’s “war economy” by tightening sanctions, including on energy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sharply criticized Europe’s rising defense spending. He claimed Western countries were openly preparing for conflict with Russia and increasing their military budgets.

Putin reiterated Moscow’s demand that Ukraine withdraw fully from the Donbas region and said Russian troops were close to capturing the key fortified town of Kostiantynivka.

He also accused Kyiv of escalating attacks on Russian infrastructure with Western support, saying they were intended to destabilize Russian society.

(mja)