The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, is reportedly attempting to establish a discreet communication line with the Kremlin to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin in discussions regarding the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
According to sources, Costa’s chief advisor has already held two conversations with a senior Russian official closely associated with Putin. The objective of these discussions is to lay the groundwork for potential serious negotiations in the future. Both the European Council’s press office and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov have declined to comment on these developments.
In parallel, leaders from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have been coordinating a unified strategy to involve Russia in dialogue. These efforts are intended to be aligned with the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The European Union is under pressure to secure its role in any future negotiations, especially following direct contacts initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump last year.
Within the EU, the prospect of rekindling ties with Moscow remains contentious. Some member states have suggested appointing a special envoy, although concerns over Kremlin propaganda pose significant risks. Notably, Putin had previously advocated for former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who has longstanding ties to Gazprom, to take on such a role.
Currently, Putin has dismissed all calls for a ceasefire. He insists that any peace talks must be predicated on Ukraine ceding control of territories in the Donetsk region that Russia has yet to capture, as well as the withdrawal of European troops from Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government has firmly rejected these conditions. Additionally, Putin continues to blame the EU for instigating the conflict, citing support for the 2014 Revolution of Dignity and alleging that the Minsk agreements were utilized to rearm the Ukrainian military.
Recently, President Zelensky discussed the possibility of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich acting as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelensky noted that during a visit to Kyiv, Abramovich expressed a comprehensive understanding of Ukraine’s stance and promised to relay feedback to the Kremlin, although the final decision rests with Putin.
Meanwhile, the German Foreign Ministry has suggested that peace negotiations concerning Ukraine could commence as early as this summer. German officials believe the conflict has reached a stalemate, and they speculate that Putin may now seriously consider a diplomatic resolution.
Amid these developments, diplomatic efforts from Washington have intensified. Following an agreement with Iran, the U.S. has shifted its focus entirely towards achieving peace in Ukraine. President Trump has already engaged in discussions with both Zelensky and Putin, asserting that both parties are open to dialogue.
The European Council President Antonio Costa is working to establish secret communications with the Kremlin to facilitate peace talks regarding Ukraine. While some EU leaders are coordinating strategies for dialogue, significant hurdles remain, including Russia's demands and Ukraine's firm rejection of those conditions.