FT: EU leaders preparing for possible negotiations with Russia on ending war Ukraine

EU leaders are preparing for potential negotiations with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin as European capitals grow increasingly frustrated with the war-ending talks led by US President Donald Trump.

Source: Financial Times, as reported by European Pravda

Details: European Council President António Costa stated that he believes the EU has the "potential" to negotiate with Putin and that the bloc has the support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for such dialogue.

"I'm talking with the [EU's] 27 national leaders to see the best way to organise ourselves and to identify what we need effectively to discuss with Russia when it comes the right moment to do this," Costa said.

According to Costa, at the EU leaders' summit in Cyprus last month, Zelenskyy invited Europeans to "be prepared to contribute positively for negotiation". At the same time, Costa noted that Moscow is not yet showing any signs of readiness for effective negotiations.

Zelenskyy's office confirmed the discussions with Costa.

"We need more co-ordination on the European level," a senior Ukrainian official said, adding that this could happen with the involvement of one leader who could speak with Russia on behalf of Europeans to increase pressure on Moscow.

Some EU leaders, including Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, have raised the question of opening a channel for negotiations with the Kremlin.

However, there is no consensus among the 27 member states on who should be appointed to represent the bloc in such negotiations, when they should begin, or what the offer to Putin should be.

Background:

• Estonian President Alar Karis recently stated that European countries should already be planning their actions for when the Russo-Ukrainian war ends and their model of engagement with Russia – as this could happen quickly and unexpectedly.
• Earlier this year, Karis and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa called for a EU special envoy to be appointed for talks with Russia.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that European countries should not beg Russia for negotiations on ending the war, but instead place it in a position where Moscow moves towards genuine dialogue.

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