Russia rejects European Union role in Ukraine peace talks
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (photo: Getty Images)
Russian media, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reported new Kremlin remarks about the European Union's role in negotiations on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
"The European Union is a party to the conflict and cannot act as a mediator in negotiations with Kyiv," he said.
Thus, the spokesman for the Russian president effectively rejected the European Union as a mediator in negotiations on Ukraine.
According to Peskov, the complete refusal to engage in dialogue with Russia is "Brussels' biggest mistake and the reason diplomatic relations have reached a dead end."
Negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine
In recent weeks, discussions have continued over a possible European Union negotiator.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb did not rule out taking on the role, and the name of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also mentioned. However, she made it clear that she does not consider herself a suitable candidate.
Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly proposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for the position, but the idea was sharply rejected in Berlin and Brussels.
Despite this, European Union countries have yet to reach a common position. The countries that most actively support Ukraine opposed the very idea of a single negotiator, believing that Putin is not serious about a ceasefire and that such a figure could weaken sanctions pressure on Russia.
Ultimately, according to the latest information, the European Union has decided not to appoint a chief representative for possible negotiations on ending the war for now and instead to focus on developing its strategy.
