Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga expressed a clear stance on the possibility of Russia participating as a mediator in resolving the tensions between Israel and Iran, which also involve the United States of America.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine’s Strong Reaction to Russia’s Proposal
“They can never be any mediators. I have already told you clearly: this is a warmaker (one who conducts war – ed.). Therefore, we must proceed from this. They must be forced into peace. Their concept is peace through strength. They understand only strength. Sanctions, further isolation, confiscation, the use of frozen assets. Now is the time for decisive action,” stated Andriy Sybiga in Brussels, responding to a question from Radio Free Europe.
According to the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Russia is incapable of acting as a mediator, as its actions demonstrate deliberate aggression rather than a pursuit of peace. Sybiga emphasized that the Russian leadership recognizes only “strength” and reacts exclusively to increased sanctions, isolation, and the confiscation of frozen assets.
Ukraine’s Position at International Meetings
On June 23, Andriy Sybiga will participate in a meeting of the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers, where the main topic will be the situation in the Middle East. Special attention will be given to Russia’s war against Ukraine, which remains a key issue for European diplomacy.
Before the meeting, the Ukrainian minister told reporters about another night of massive missile strikes on Kyiv, emphasizing that Russia is once again attacking civilian infrastructure. According to the official, such actions are Russia’s response to all peaceful initiatives and diplomatic attempts to establish calm.
Sybiga also noted the urgency of using all diplomatic levers to increase the cost of further aggression for Russia and emphasized the lack of grounds for negotiations with the aggressor: “They have no reason to sit at the negotiating table,” the minister concluded.
At the same time, it became known that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow for consultations with the Russian leadership, including with Vladimir Putin. Earlier, Putin had offered his role as a mediator in resolving the Iranian-Israeli tension; however, this idea was effectively rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump, although he had not ruled out such a possibility earlier.