Matviyenko: Russia-Europe Relations Will Normalize, But Moscow Will Not Take the First Step

Valentina Matviyenko, Chair of the Federation Council of Russia, expressed confidence that relations between Russia and European countries will gradually return to normal. She emphasized that any initiative toward reconciliation should come from the West, not from Moscow.

Her remarks were made during a meeting on Saturday in St. Petersburg with participants in the cultural and educational project “Memory Train.” Matviyenko stated, “We were not the ones who severed relations with Europe; it was Europe that made this decision under the influence of anti-Russian hysteria.”

She added that Russia continues to believe in the importance of cooperation with European nations, as both sides share the same continent and are interdependent. “We did not initiate the rupture and will not be the ones to propose reconciliation,” she noted.

A Call for Europe to Reconsider Its Policies

Matviyenko expressed hope that European countries will reassess their current policies toward Russia, and that, in her words, “Europe will soon awaken and recognize the mistakes it has made.”

She also stated that the measures taken by European governments in an attempt to pressure Russia have had unintended domestic consequences, contributing to a decline in living standards and rising costs for citizens across Europe.

Russian Economy Shows Resilience

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Matviyenko indicated that Russia’s economy has continued to grow, outperforming the global average. She noted that unemployment remains low and that the government has maintained its social commitments to the population.

According to Matviyenko, recent years have demonstrated Russia’s ability to adapt and develop in the face of external pressures.

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