On June 26, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin accused European governments of “trying to disrupt” peace negotiations with Ukraine, claiming they are “distorting their content” — a message quickly amplified by state-run media and pro-Kremlin outlets. The comments are part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at shifting the blame for the prolonged war from Moscow to the West and Ukraine.
The statement, delivered amid heightened military activity and continued Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, aligns with Moscow’s repeated attempts to manipulate the narrative around peace efforts. By alleging obstruction from the West, the Kremlin seeks to undermine international support for Kyiv and present itself as a willing negotiator — despite a track record that suggests otherwise.
Moscow’s narrative vs. documented realities
Naryshkin’s accusations come against a backdrop of Russia’s consistent rejection of peace terms that would include the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Throughout the conflict, the Kremlin has refused to engage in negotiations that recognize Ukraine’s internationally accepted borders, insisting instead on the “recognition of new territorial realities” — effectively, Ukraine’s capitulation.
Peace initiatives such as the Istanbul talks in 2022 and subsequent attempts in 2025 were derailed by Moscow, not Western actors. Despite rhetorical claims of openness to dialogue, the Russian side has yet to put forward any verifiable, constructive proposals — only demands that contradict the UN Charter and international norms.
Meanwhile, the international community, including the EU, G7 and NATO, has consistently expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and backed diplomatic processes grounded in international law. The June peace summit in Switzerland, where over 90 countries gathered to discuss pathways to ending the war, further illustrated that it is Kyiv and its partners — not Moscow — driving peace-oriented diplomacy.
Weaponizing the peace narrative
Experts warn that Russia’s messaging strategy is designed not to achieve peace, but to sow discord among Ukraine’s allies. As noted by Ukraine’s Center for National Resistance, the Kremlin’s goal is to demoralize Western societies, weaken public support for continued aid, and create a false perception that it is the West obstructing a diplomatic solution.
Simultaneously, Russia continues to intensify its military campaign — targeting civilian infrastructure and reinforcing occupation regimes in eastern and southern Ukraine. These actions underscore a fundamental contradiction in Moscow’s stance: professing interest in peace while prosecuting a brutal war of aggression.
Undermining international law
Russia’s efforts to redefine peace on its own terms pose broader risks for global stability. By seeking to normalize the outcome of its territorial aggression, the Kremlin is challenging the core principles of the international system. Acceptance of such a precedent would legitimize redrawing borders through force and further erode mechanisms for collective security.
The international response — including sanctions, military aid to Ukraine, and support for diplomatic efforts — reflects a recognition that any sustainable peace must be based on justice, sovereignty, and accountability. As of mid-2025, there is no indication that Russia is prepared to meet those conditions.
