European Union leadership is considering direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move is seen as a response to growing frustration and a sense of crisis within Europe, as the Russia-Ukraine peace talks led by US President Donald Trump have remained stalled for an extended period.
According to the Financial Times on Tuesday, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, said at an event at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, that there is "a possibility" of negotiating with President Putin. He explained that he is "consulting with the leaders of the EU's 27 member states on what is needed to effectively discuss matters with Russia when the appropriate time comes, and how best to establish a response framework."
This European move is said to have the support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A senior Ukrainian official also told the FT that "closer coordination at the European level is needed" and that "to put greater pressure on Russia, a leader who can speak on behalf of all of Europe may be necessary."
The EU has until now opposed conducting discussions or making decisions regarding Ukraine while Ukraine itself is excluded. However, the tide appears to have shifted as peace negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine have failed to produce clear results. There is also a growing consensus that the EU must avoid being pushed to the margins of the negotiations and forced to accept an agreement that runs counter to European interests.
However, opinions are divided within the EU over who should serve as the negotiation channel. The FT reported that "some leaders, including Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, are raising the need to open a channel of dialogue with Russia," while "other member states have yet to reach a consensus on who should represent the EU, when negotiations should take place, and what message should be delivered to President Putin."
Whether Russia will respond is also uncertain. Costa said he has "received no signal from the Kremlin that President Putin is willing to sit down with an EU representative."
Relations with the United States are also considered a variable. While Europe is seeking an independent negotiation channel, it also intends to avoid a clash with the Trump administration. Costa said he "will not interfere with the process led by President Trump."
