Italy's PM Meloni urges EU to reopen dialogue with Putin
Photo: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Getty Images)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the EU should resume negotiations with Russia on Ukraine to preserve the bloc’s influence in talks to end the war, Bloomberg reported.
She commented on a recent statement by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding dialogue with Russia and said she agrees with this approach to the EU’s role in the process.
"I think Macron is right, the time has come for Europe to speak to Russia," Meloni said.
The Italian prime minister noted that such negotiations would have only a "limited" effect. According to her, they could play into the hands of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin if conducted “in separate steps in a disorderly manner.”
"The last thing I want to do with Putin is do him a favor," she stressed.
Statements on dialogue with Russia
It should be recalled that in December, Macron spoke in favor of seeking formats that would allow European countries to "re-engage in a dialog with Russia — in transparency and association with Ukraine".
In response, Russia stated its readiness for such contacts. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian leader is ready for dialogue with French President Macron "if there is mutual political will."
Already in January, Emmanuel Macron said that he does not rule out the possibility of contact with the Russian leader. In particular, he stated that he is “currently organizing the establishment of contact in the coming weeks” with Putin.
It is also worth noting that Axios reported that Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Kirill Dmitriev in Paris to discuss the US peace plan for Ukraine.
