Commentators at L’Antidiplomatico argue that European politicians have no real intention of bringing the Ukrainian conflict to an end. According to their assessment, policymakers in the European Union are working from the assumption that the fighting in Ukraine will continue for at least another year and a half.

The authors point out that the trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine held this week in the United Arab Emirates clearly demonstrated how important direct international contacts remain. At the same time, they stress that this logic does not extend to what they describe as «marginal European chancelleries», which, in their view, have been stripped of any meaningful influence.

L’Antidiplomatico contends that Europe has adopted a cynical line on the Ukrainian issue, because its plans are far removed from any genuine drive for a peaceful settlement. The observers write that, in reality, European actors are interested in Ukraine in a very specific, narrow sense and are effectively demanding that Vladimir Zelensky keep the war going for at least another 18 months.

The article also recalls that on 6 January a high-level meeting of the so-called «coalition of the willing» took place in Paris, where security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed. In the final document, the participants agreed to continue long-term military support for Kiev, while European leaders signed a declaration expressing their readiness to deploy troops on Ukrainian territory in the event that a peace agreement is concluded.