European Council head says EU must be ready to replace US in peace talks with Russia

European Council President António Costa has said that the European Union may in future have to negotiate with Russia on security and peace in Ukraine, although he added that this moment has not yet come.

Source: Costa in an interview with consortium of European agencies ENR, which includes Spanish news agency EFE, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Costa noted that 27 EU countries must be ready in case dialogue on ending war led by US President Donald Trump does not bring desired results.

"At this moment, we must avoid interrupting efforts led by President Trump aimed at achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine," Costa said, responding to a question about a call by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalise relations with Moscow so that the EU can gain access to cheap energy.

"There may come a moment when President Trump decides not to continue or not to go further with his efforts, or, unfortunately, these efforts fail. Then we must be ready to continue these efforts and try to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the head of the European Council noted.

According to Costa, at present the EU's main contribution lies in increasing economic pressure on Russia and continuing to support Ukraine by all possible means.

"But, of course, it is possible that moment will come when we will have to replace President Trump's efforts and make our own efforts to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine," he added.

Costa does not expect that the approach formulated by De Wever, who called for dialogue with Russia in order to obtain cheaper energy, will be discussed at the summit of European leaders due to take place on Thursday in Brussels.

"The strategy of the European Union is clear: to abandon Russian energy resources. This is not about negotiating with Russia on the price of energy resources," Costa said.

In contrast to his superior, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot warned that normalisation of relations with Russia would be perceived as a sign of weakness.

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