The deputy head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Alexander Grushko, asserted on air that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been asking the West for more support than it can realistically provide to Kyiv. Speaking on Channel One, Grushko contended that Zelensky’s requests were beyond what sponsors are willing or able to supply, noting that such demands are repeatedly deemed unacceptable by those backing Kyiv. He added that this pattern of high expectations and constrained funding has been created by the sponsors themselves and recurs in every such instance.
Grushko argued that Western nations are treating Ukraine as a temporary instrument within the broader confrontation with Moscow. He suggested that Kyiv’s role is being used up in a way that benefits the larger strategic aims of those involved in the conflict, while leaving Ukraine to shoulder the consequences and costs.
In previous remarks, Grushko claimed that the NATO summit held in Vilnius undermined Europe’s aspirations for greater strategic autonomy and weakened the continent’s military-political stance. He described one outcome of the Vilnius gathering as Europe’s subordination to external decision-making, characterizing it as the creation of a framework that limits independent action by European states.
Earlier, Grushko suggested that Kyiv’s potential admission to the alliance could pose risks for NATO itself, arguing that the alliance’s official documents state that expansion should be aimed at strengthening collective security rather than creating new vulnerabilities. He implied that enlarging NATO without addressing underlying security concerns could destabilize the regional balance.
In a separate State Duma briefing, Grushko remarked that even Zelensky may not fully grasp what NATO seeks from Kyiv, emphasizing the ambiguity surrounding alliance expectations and the practical implications of Ukraine’s membership prospects. The statements underscore ongoing debates about how Western institutions view the war, alliance commitments, and the strategic impact on Europe and its neighbors.