Russian Federation Council (the upper house of Russia’s parliament) Chair Valentina Matviyenko told reporters that the Europeans had it coming in Abu Dhabi.

“As for the Europeans, they got what they deserved: the humiliating role of someone sitting outside the door, eavesdropping and peeking inside…. Their main mission there was to prevent the Ukrainians from taking any steps toward a peaceful settlement, which the Europeans consider wrong. They seek to remain in control of the process… and achieve their frenzied and hopeless goal of inflicting a defeat on Russia.”

The powerful lawmaker added: “In my view, if they fail to come to their senses and significantly change their policy, but [continue to] pursue the same course of militarization and hostile Russophobia, their voters will ultimately sweep such politicians from power.”

Matviyenko had words of praise, however, for the U.S. approach. “We want peace, and we are grateful to Donald Trump and the US side for their honest intention to find a peaceful solution. This is why we have maintained dialogue with our US partners, including in the trilateral format…. I believe the resumption of trilateral talks is a very positive and right step. All participants in the negotiation process expressed cautious but largely positive views.”