Lithuania makes unexpected statement on peace talks with Russia
Photo: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda (Getty Images)
The European Union should not rush into peace negotiations with Russia. The Kremlin is currently not seeking a genuine dialogue, stated Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, according to Bloomberg.
Why dialogue is not the right option now
Speaking at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels, the Lithuanian leader urged the EU to distance itself from attempts to engage Russian leader Vladimir Putin in discussions on the terms of ending the war.
Nausėda stressed that Putin only understands the language of force.
"I don’t think that right now is the time to start the negotiations with Putin because Putin doesn’t want to see us at the table," Nauseda said.
According to Nausėda, a real diplomatic process can begin only after Moscow recognizes its defeat.
Europe's attempts to establish dialogue with the Kremlin
As previously reported, President of the European Council António Costa secretly contacted the Kremlin regarding Ukraine in an effort to involve Russian leader Vladimir Putin in discussions on ending the war. His adviser has already held two conversations with people close to the Russian leader, as the EU seeks to secure a seat at the negotiating table.
At the same time, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will put forward the candidacy of a special negotiator at the upcoming European Union summit to represent Brussels in the process of settling the Russia–Ukraine war. The position is reportedly intended for a representative of a medium-sized European country.
Meanwhile, Western diplomatic efforts have yet to produce the desired results. French President Emmanuel Macron said that G7 leaders and US President Donald Trump agreed that Russia had shown no serious willingness to negotiate and that all previous attempts at dialogue had ultimately proved futile.
