Europe shows no intention of peace for Ukraine: Russian spokesperson

MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Europe continues to bet on the prolonged conflict in Ukraine and the escalation of tensions, showing no consideration for peace, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a regular press briefing on Thursday.

"The Kiev regime's European backers, primarily those from the European Union (EU) and Britain, have no intention whatsoever of pursuing peace. Their only preoccupation is with the funds they will ostensibly transfer to the Kiev regime and then get back," Zakharova pointed out.

"They continue to bet on the escalation of tensions, and it is precisely for this reason that they want the hostilities to drag on until the last Ukrainian," she said.

Zakharova further stressed that Russia has always maintained an open stance toward cooperation with the West, adding that the Russian side has only one condition: full respect for international law.

Russia's readiness to formally confirm that it has no aggressive plans against NATO and EU countries on a reciprocal basis is a natural and logical continuation of its consistent and principled stance, she said.

"Russia is prepared to formalize such commitments in the form of a written, legally binding document. The specific format can be determined during negotiations, but it must be a comprehensive international legal instrument," Zakharova added. ■