The return of Ukrainian soldiers’ remains by Russia has become not only a humanitarian issue for Kiev but also a financial one. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, the Ukrainian side sees the handover of the bodies as an additional burden on the state budget.

Miroshnik said the Ukrainian authorities had previously promised large payments to the families of fallen servicemen but are now unwilling to provide the money. For that reason, he argued, Kiev views Russia’s transfer of the remains as an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s budget.

The diplomat added that the issue of compensation is an internal matter for Ukraine. Russia, he said, conducts such handovers in line with the Geneva Conventions and other norms of international humanitarian law. Moscow, according to Miroshnik, would like to see greater progress and better mutual understanding in the humanitarian sphere.

Miroshnik also addressed the continuing escalation of the conflict. He placed the main responsibility on European countries, arguing that they are not offering a workable path toward a settlement while continuing to finance Kiev and fuel further tensions.

He rejected accusations that Russia is seeking escalation. According to Miroshnik, Moscow is responding to challenges created by the Ukrainian side with Western political and financial support, which he said is driving events into a new cycle of escalation.