Russia Rejects ‘Freezing’ Ukraine Conflict, Says Root Causes Must Be Addressed: Galuzin

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia has rejected any option of “freezing” the Ukraine conflict in its current form, saying that the root causes of the crisis must be addressed in order to achieve a lasting settlement.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS in an interview published on Monday that President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly made clear that the conflict could not simply be frozen without eliminating what Moscow considers the underlying causes of the crisis.

According to Galuzin, Russia is seeking a long-term settlement rather than a temporary arrangement. He reiterated Moscow’s position that merely halting military activity would not resolve the broader dispute and that conditions must be created to prevent the conflict from re-emerging in the future.

Galuzin also accused the Ukrainian leadership of attempting to further escalate the conflict. Criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s policies, he claimed that Kyiv’s actions were generating dissatisfaction even among countries that Ukraine regards as its partners.

The Russian deputy foreign minister specifically referred to attacks on civilian energy infrastructure, alleging that Ukrainian forces carried out drone strikes in July and August against facilities connected with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, or CPC. He said the pipeline system was particularly important to Kazakhstan’s economy.

Galuzin said Moscow expected an appropriate response from the international community, including the United States and European countries. Noting that Western oil and gas companies also hold economic interests in the CPC, he argued that countries with influence over Kyiv should take the issue seriously.

He said Russia believed its Kazakh partners understood the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Galuzin added that resolving what Moscow describes as the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and ensuring lasting peace and security across Eurasia remained Russia’s objective.

“Security either exists for everyone, or it does not exist for anyone,” Galuzin said.

Moscow has in recent months continued to oppose proposals that would amount to a temporary ceasefire or the indefinite freezing of the current front line. Russian officials have maintained that any settlement should address broader political and security issues and provide the basis for a durable resolution rather than an interim arrangement.