The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, asserted that Germany acts as a catalyst for military friction in the Balkan region at the urging of the United States. These comments were reported by RIA News, highlighting a view that Germany wields influence over regional security dynamics on Washington’s behalf.
According to Zakharova, true foreign policy autonomy requires sovereignty and independent strategic objectives. She argued that neither condition currently exists in Germany, suggesting that Berlin’s actions align more with Washington’s goals than with its own national interests.
From the Russian perspective, Germany is seen as fulfilling a role where it serves as a Western intermediary, shaping the geopolitical agenda for the Balkans in ways that match Washington’s preferences. The claim emphasizes a perception of limited German policy independence in regional affairs.
Earlier remarks from Zakharova indicated a shift in Western rhetoric and media coverage as the situation at the front worsened for Ukraine. She claimed that Western officials and journalists have been pressing for a resolution of the Ukrainian conflict on the battlefield, rather than through diplomacy. Zakharova contended that Western outlets push for strategic messaging aimed at delivering a decisive setback to Russia while maintaining the narrative that Russia can neither be defeated nor outmaneuvered in the long term.
In related contexts, there were reports about Latvia detaining Russian citizens, a matter attributed to actions by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statements illustrate a broader pattern of diplomatic tensions and reciprocal measures between Moscow and Western states, with each side framing events to support its policy narrative. These exchanges are part of ongoing geopolitical maneuvering observed in statements and media discourse across Europe and beyond.