The President of the European Council, António Costa, has initiated contacts with the Kremlin, hoping to secure the European Union's participation in possible negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. According to sources in the EU, this is the first such step from Brussels in over four years.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, has initiated contacts with the Kremlin, hoping to secure the European Union's participation in possible negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Sources in the EU confirmed this to the NOS publication following reports, in particular, from Bloomberg.
According to European media, this is the first known instance in the last four years where attempts have been made from Brussels to establish direct contact with Moscow. After the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, official communication channels between the European Union and the Kremlin were effectively frozen.
As sources note, in recent weeks, Costa has been consulting with European leaders regarding the possible restoration of dialogue with Russia. His staff has also maintained contacts with Russian representatives. No specific results from these preliminary negotiations have been reported yet.
The interest in resuming communication is explained by concerns among European countries about being sidelined in a potential peace process. The EU is closely monitoring new diplomatic initiatives from the United States aimed at finding ways to end the war.
Meanwhile, a two-day European Union summit is beginning in Brussels, which is attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Earlier, the Ukrainian leader repeatedly urged European countries to play a more active role in peace negotiations.
On the eve, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated at the G7 summit in France that he sees a chance for the start of the negotiation process as early as this summer.
"There is now an opportunity to start negotiations in the coming months," said the head of German diplomacy.
According to Wadephul, neither Ukraine nor Russia currently has a decisive advantage on the battlefield. Commenting on the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the German minister suggested that the Russian leader may seriously consider the possibility of negotiations.
Against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic efforts surrounding the war in Ukraine, the European Union seeks not to remain a bystander. Attempts to establish contacts with Moscow indicate Brussels' desire to take a more prominent role in the potential peace process.
