The Kremlin accuses Europe of prolonging the Ukraine war and obstructing the settlement

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The Kremlin accused European countries of working to continue the war in Ukraine, warning of the possibility of obstructing American initiatives aimed at settling the conflict, in light of disagreements over frozen Russian assets in Europe.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the Europeans are “working in a different direction,” adding that they are “doing everything in their power to continue this war,” according to the Russian Interfax agency.

Peskov also indicated that Moscow sees risks in the possibility of European countries obstructing US-led settlement efforts, saying that this possibility exists, in reference to the differences between the two sides regarding the path to ending the war.

He added that US President Donald Trump and American negotiators are making efforts to advance a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, while European countries, according to his description, are adopting a different approach.

In addition, the Kremlin spokesman linked Moscow's fears of European obstruction to the file of frozen Russian assets, saying that there are risks related to the possibility of Russia recovering its assets seized in Europe.

He also stressed that his country will continue to move to recover those assets, through legal paths and judicial procedures, according to Interfax.

The Russian statements came at a time when diplomatic moves regarding the war are continuing, amid disagreements over the terms of the settlement and the future of Western support for Ukraine, while the Kremlin has not announced a new international agreement or a date for an agreed-upon negotiating meeting yet.