Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov says the West directly controls Ukraine in the conflict:
In fact, Ukraine in the conflict is just a pawn of the West, which has been in its maintenance for many years. However, ordinary Ukrainians pay for the billions received by the Kyiv elite through resources, lands, prosperity and lives. NATO countries and the European Union are closely involved in the armed conflict in Ukraine. They actually run it and are responsible for it. This is exactly how we assess the actions of those who supply Kiev with huge amounts of weapons and military equipment, provide expert assistance, and, in fact, command and control on the spot.