The European Union should determine whether or not it needs the Ukraine battle to be resolved diplomatically or in a violent method, Russian International Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned at a briefing on Thursday.

Requested to touch upon Austria’s reported proposal to host de-escalation talks, Zakharova mentioned Moscow might solely ponder such initiatives after the EU figures out what it stands for concerning Ukraine.

“Initially, the EU ought to make up its thoughts about itself,” Zakharova mentioned, urging the EU to determine whether or not it’s pursuing a unified international coverage or if selections are dealt with by particular person member states.

Russia, she mentioned, has repeatedly heard “contradicting statements” coming from the EU. Zakharova famous that many supposed initiatives had been put ahead by member states and have been later retracted or by no means followed-up on as a result of they weren’t authorised by Brussels.

“Secondly, the EU additionally must make up its thoughts whether or not they assist the talks [on Ukraine], or the battlefield answer, as [EU foreign policy chief Josep] Borrell had put it,” she mentioned.

Zakharova’s remark comes after Borrell signaled on Wednesday that the EU was prepared to hunt a “diplomatic answer” to the battle in Ukraine, however vowing that the bloc would proceed to supply Kiev with navy and monetary assist whereas ramping up strain on Russia by way of sanctions.

Nevertheless, in April Borrell issued a a lot totally different assertion, claiming then that the battle in Ukraine “shall be received on the battlefield.”

Russia despatched troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to present the areas of Donetsk and Lugansk particular standing throughout the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, have been first signed in 2014. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s primary purpose was to make use of the ceasefire to purchase time and “create highly effective armed forces.”

Throughout referendums that happened in late September, the 2 Donbass republics, together with Zaporozhye and Kherson Areas, overwhelmingly voted to affix Russia. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into legislation unification treaties with former Ukrainian territories, formally making them a part of Russia. Previous to this, the Russian chief vowed to make use of “all means” essential to defend the nation’s territorial integrity within the face of exterior threats.