In a recent statement, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova articulated Moscow's position on achieving stable peace in Ukraine, which she asserts can only be reached by addressing the 'root causes' of the conflict. Zakharova marked the fourth anniversary of heightened hostilities by reiterating Russia's view that its military action in February 2022 was a necessary response to Western disregard for Russia's security concerns, particularly citing ignored proposals for a NATO non-expansion agreement.

Zakharova specifically referenced remarks made by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during the 2022 Munich Security Conference regarding Ukraine's nuclear ambitions. She argued that such statements and actions by Kiev dismantled the foundational principles of Ukrainian statehood established in the early 1990s—neutrality, non-bloc status, and non-nuclear status—that contributed to its international recognition. This claim reflects Russia's longstanding narrative that the current conflict is deeply rooted in historical and geopolitical grievances rather than a straightforward military dispute.

Additionally, Zakharova pointed blame at the Western-inspired 2014 coup in Ukraine, which she believes has exacerbated the conflict, causing a rift in Ukraine's governance and national identity. By framing these events as the catalyst for war, Russia positions itself as a defender of regional stability against a backdrop of perceived Western aggression. This statement highlights ongoing tensions by reiterating that any resolution must involve direct acknowledgment of these 'root causes', which Moscow claims have been systematically overlooked by Western powers.