Germany, France and UK are developing plan to bring Putin into negotiations – Bloomberg

Key European allies of Ukraine – Germany, France and the UK – are working with Kyiv on plans to bring Russia into negotiations aimed at ending the war, as they see a shift in momentum that is strengthening President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's position.

Source: Bloomberg, citing sources

Details: According to people familiar with the discussions, representatives of Europe's three largest economies – Germany, France and the UK – are exploring the possibility of organising talks involving both sides. They have also discussed the matter with their Ukrainian counterparts, the sources told Bloomberg on condition of anonymity.

Bloomberg added that representatives of France and the UK had not immediately responded to requests for comment, while a spokesperson for the German government declined to comment.

Sources stated that with US-led negotiations dragging on and Russian forces suffering mounting losses amid a battlefield stalemate, the three countries see an opportunity to potentially bring Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

"Adding to the pressure on the Kremlin, Ukrainian forces have had increasing success with drone strikes deep inside Russia and there are some signs of resistance to Putin's war at the highest levels in Moscow," Bloomberg said.

By pursuing negotiations now, the allies hope to avoid another winter in which Russia is likely to intensify attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure as Putin seeks to undermine Ukrainian morale.

Sources stressed that the final decision on whether to continue pursuing negotiations with Russia rests with Zelenskyy and that European countries will not pressure the Ukrainian president into adopting a strategy he does not support.

According to the sources, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in the coming days.

Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot systems and other air defence capabilities as Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities. He said last month that Europe should play a greater role in diplomatic efforts that have so far been led primarily by the US. The Ukrainian president has repeatedly called on allies to increase pressure on Moscow.

Critics of engaging Russia in talks at this stage, including some representatives of the so-called E3 countries, argue that now is not the time for negotiations because Putin has shown no serious willingness to negotiate and continues to advance maximalist demands, including that Ukraine hand over territories not currently occupied by Russian forces.

Instead, allies should use this moment to provide Zelenskyy with the weapons he needs and increase pressure on the Kremlin through tougher and broader sanctions, the sources said.

The same sources added that the E3 should work with the US to compel Russia to come to the negotiating table, as the obstacle lies in Moscow rather than Kyiv. European countries should not be the side pleading with Putin to negotiate, particularly given Russia's growing economic difficulties and staggering monthly losses.

Bloomberg reported earlier this month that senior officials at Russia's Finance Ministry and Central Bank had warned Putin that the cost of the war against Ukraine was becoming unsustainable. The report described this as the clearest sign of internal disagreements in Moscow since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. However, those warnings have so far failed to persuade the Russian leader, who has instructed officials to protect defence spending and seek savings elsewhere.

Previously: Zelenskyy recently spoke with Starmer about upcoming negotiations and meetings.

Germany said a window of opportunity is gradually opening for dialogue between Russia and Europe on ending the war, but only in full coordination with Ukraine.

Background:

• Germany and European governments rejected a proposal by Putin that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could represent them in possible future talks with Moscow.
• Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pointed out that in discussing a possible EU negotiator, the union should not fall into Russia's trap by accepting a candidate most convenient for Moscow.
• Earlier reports suggested the European Union was considering former German chancellor Angela Merkel, former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as potential EU negotiators.

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