EU Ministers Debate Terms and Envoy for Possible Talks With Russia
Kaja Kallas says the bloc should set its own terms first, as diplomats say no decision is expected and no envoy has consensus.
- On Thursday, May 28, European Union foreign ministers met in Cyprus to discuss potential re-engagement with Moscow regarding Ukraine, following President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for a stronger European diplomatic role.
- Stalled mediation efforts and Washington's distraction by Iran have prompted European backers to consider filling the diplomatic void, despite deep skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions following recent Oreshnik missile strikes.
- Diplomats are debating potential envoys to represent the EU, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb, with some suggesting a head of state from one of the bloc's 27 countries should fill the role.
- European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen stated Russia shows "no willingness for peace," while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that any representative must see through Russia's "traps."
- The meeting in Cyprus is not expected to yield a definitive position, as the bloc remains divided on whether negotiating with the Kremlin is realistic or if the EU should serve as mediator.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Talk to Russia? First, Europe needs to pick an envoy – and know what it wants to say
With the US bogged down in its war against Iran, Ukraine has been urging Europe to step up and play an active role in negotiations on bringing the Russian invasion to an end. But EU officials say the bloc first needs to be aligned on what it wants to say to Moscow – and who would be best placed to serve as a mediator.
The head of EU diplomacy argues that Brussels cannot mediate between Moscow and Kiev because she is on the Ukrainian side. More information: The EU's dilemma with Ukraine: Kiev asks Brussels to fulfil its promise to integrate it now but no one knows how to do it
Christian Feld, ARD Brussels, currently in Cyprus, on the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Cyprus
Now that Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again shown that he does not want to start peace negotiations, the EU must increase pressure on Russia and raise support for Ukraine. This was stated by the foreign ministers of Germany, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, and others on Thursday in Limassol. There, the EU foreign ministers are discussing the EU strategy for potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The Head of Diplomacy of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, today asked the Member States for caution regarding possible talks with Russia on the war in Ukraine. Kallas said that the Member States should not fall into the trap of Russia by allowing Moscow to choose the interlocutors of the European Union. In this sense, the Head of Diplomacy of the European bloc argued that the European Union (EU) should concentrate strategies on defining the subs…
Ukraine's former PM: Putin will try to recruit any envoy sent to talks
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, former Ukrainian prime minister, told Euronews that while the European leaders are considering direct talks with Russia, the only thing Vladimir Putin is ready to accept is Europe's surrender.
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