RUSSIA and the United States would have reached an agreement over ending the war in Ukraine long ago if it wasn’t for European meddling, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday.

A French official complained to WSJ reporters that Europe “finds itself alone” as Washington is pulling back in the region. The official said this means the continent must become more self-reliant.

The official told the WSJ that if it were not for the Europeans then “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [US President Donald] Trump would have reached agreement” to resolve the Ukraine crisis long ago.

Details of a leaked peace plan framework drafted by the US and what were reportedly transcripts of a phone conversation between Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff “have left many with the impression that the Trump administration is more interested in improving ties and economic co-operation with Russia than defending the transatlantic alliance,” the French official said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said last week that Russia does not see any role for Europe at the negotiating table on Ukraine.

Mr Grushko insisted that rather than doing anything to resolve the issues in the region, the EU “has encouraged the continuation of the civil war unleashed by the Nazi regime” in Ukraine.