A French diplomatic source speaks of baseless claims.As the war in Ukraine approaches its third anniversary and while Western governments continue to call it their “first priority,” a statement from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov came to cause disruption in several capitals, practically interrupting the Christmas diplomatic rush.

Paris calls Moscow?

The experienced Russian diplomat essentially revealed that Paris invited Moscow to a dialogue on the future of Ukraine behind Kiev’s back.

“I don’t want to go into details, so as not to put anyone in a difficult position, but on several occasions our French colleagues have appealed through confidential channels: “Let’s help, let’s have a dialogue on the Ukrainian issue” without Ukraine. Just a dialogue about Ukrainian, somehow in violation of the principle that the West keeps repeating, that is, not a word should be said about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

In fact, Lavrov, without giving details about where, when and exactly how such an approach was attempted, showed willingness for a dialogue, in order to listen to the French views.

“Well, we don’t say no, we don’t deny contact, we are willing to listen,” continued the long-time confidant of the Russian president, in an attempt on the one hand to show flexibility and on the other hand to expose the French side for bilingualism.

Usual trick of Russia?

The reaction of anonymous diplomatic sources from Paris was immediate. “The Russian authorities are used to making unsubstantiated claims aimed at exploiting a war of aggression for which they bear full responsibility,” they told Agence France-Presse. “As France has reiterated since the beginning of the war, it is up to Ukraine, the country under attack, to determine the time and conditions under which it wishes to enter into a negotiation process,” the same source said.

It is recalled that France appears as a staunch supporter of Kiev and President Emmanuel Macron has floated the idea of ​​sending Western troops to Ukraine to ensure a possible ceasefire.

After nearly three years of conflict, however, the possibility of peace talks is increasingly being discussed in several European capitals as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month. Trump has repeatedly said he will seek to end the fighting, without explaining exactly how.