At a press briefing on May 22, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine sharply criticized Russia’s approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of feigning interest in peace while actively prolonging hostilities on the battlefield. His remarks, reported by the Ukrainian state agency Ukrinform, highlight growing Western skepticism toward the Kremlin’s narrative on diplomatic negotiations.
“From the Russians, we hear quite a hypocritical speech,” Lemoine said. “They act as though they want negotiations, but in reality, they are doing everything possible to avoid a peaceful solution. What they’re really trying to do is buy time—and they are succeeding, all while continuing the war.”
Lemoine pointed to Russia’s conduct during previous negotiation attempts in Istanbul as evidence of bad faith. Specifically, he noted the low level of representation in the Russian delegation during those talks, which took place in earlier phases of the conflict, as a clear signal that the Kremlin was not serious about diplomacy.
According to Lemoine, there is alignment among the United States, Europe, and Ukraine on the need for an immediate ceasefire. “The Americans are eager to reach a ceasefire quickly,” he said. “The Europeans are on board with this idea, and so are the Ukrainians, I believe.”
However, Lemoine emphasized that any peace process must follow a specific sequence: first, an end to hostilities; then, the launch of negotiations aimed at establishing a durable and enforceable peace with “credible, long-term guarantees.”
During the briefing, Lemoine outlined three critical “traps” that France believes Russia may attempt to set during any future peace talks—and which Paris is determined to avoid:
Negotiations Under Fire: “Negotiating under bombs is not acceptable,” Lemoine said. A clear cessation of hostilities is, in France’s view, a precondition for any talks.
Lemoine dismissed any proposals that would weaken Ukraine’s military capacity. “There can be no demilitarization of Ukraine,” he stated. “The Ukrainian army must remain strong.”
Perhaps most crucially, Lemoine rejected the idea of lifting sanctions on Russia as a precondition to negotiations. “Sanctions cannot be lifted before talks begin,” he said, referencing demands reportedly floated by the Kremlin.
The French Foreign Ministry made it clear that if Russia refuses to enter into a genuine and constructive diplomatic process, Western nations will continue to increase sanctions pressure. “If Russia does not engage constructively, the West will proceed with further sanctions,” Lemoine affirmed.
The comments come at a pivotal moment in the war, as peace efforts—driven in part by U.S. calls for a temporary ceasefire—appear to gain some momentum. Nonetheless, Western officials remain cautious about the credibility of Moscow’s intentions.
