Europe prepares its own Russia talks as frustration with Trump explodes
President of the European Council Antonio Costa (Photo: Getty Images)
The EU is considering establishing a direct negotiation channel with the Kremlin to avoid being isolated from the peace process currently led by the US, states European Council President Antonio Costa.
Read also: Kremlin outlines ultimatum for Ukraine peace negotiations involving US
Brussels' position and support for Kyiv
According to Antonio Costa, the EU has the potential to conduct independent negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. European capitals are disappointed with the US President Donald Trump-led ceasefire negotiations in the Ukraine war.
He emphasized that the bloc has received support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to prepare a positive contribution to the negotiation process.
Currently, Costa is consulting with the leaders of all 27 EU countries to determine the format of interaction with Russia. The main goal is to prevent a situation in which Europe is forced to accept a peace agreement without its participation or consent.
Obstacles and lack of consensus
Despite Brussels' readiness, the EU acknowledges the lack of signals from Moscow indicating a desire to engage in constructive dialogue with the bloc's representatives.
Costa noted that Russia currently shows no intention of participating in serious negotiations.
Within the EU itself, there is also no unified opinion. Although some leaders support establishing a communication channel with the Kremlin, the bloc has not yet decided who should speak on behalf of all Europeans or what the specific proposal to Putin should be.
Situation on the diplomatic front
Parallel to the EU's initiatives, Ukraine is trying to revive the diplomatic process through the US. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov has arrived in Washington for meetings with Donald Trump's special envoys.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that they're working to ensure that this helps bring about a just peace and guarantees security.
At the same time, he emphasized that the Russian side still does not take a constructive approach, and the preconditions put forward by Putin, in particular the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas, remain unacceptable to Kyiv.
Negotiations with the Kremlin
Earlier, media reported that those around Russian leader Vladimir Putin are searching for a victory narrative to present any peace agreement to Russians as a success against the backdrop of economic crisis and war fatigue among the population.
Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov issued an ultimatum for peace negotiations with Ukraine and the US. Moscow declares the inexpediency of trilateral meetings until Kyiv withdraws its troops from the Ukrainian-controlled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Meanwhile, the Office of the President of Ukraine responded to these statements, noting that the Kremlin does not actually plan to stop hostilities even if it gains control over Donbas, and that such ultimatums only reveal Russia's true aggressive plans.
