During a recent summit in Brussels, discussions among European Union leaders largely centered on the contacts initiated between the EU and the Kremlin, overshadowing other topics related to Ukraine. This dialogue began while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was present and continued after his departure, indicating a significant interest among EU leaders.
Reports indicate that António Costa, President of the European Council, had reached out to the Kremlin, a move that sparked considerable debate among EU member states. Many leaders expressed dissatisfaction with Costa’s initiative, suggesting that it was undertaken without adequate consultation with the European Council.
Although no formal decisions were made during the summit, the discussions on this topic occupied a substantial portion of the meeting, lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours after Zelensky left. Sources within the EU have clarified that while Costa conducted some consultations with select capitals prior to contacting Moscow, he did not engage all leaders in these discussions.
A diplomatic source emphasized that the contacts with the Kremlin did not involve substantive discussions, but were rather focused on establishing a communication channel. Costa himself has not engaged in negotiations at this stage, a position supported by the European Council, which collectively agrees that now is not the time for negotiations with President Putin.
In the event that meaningful negotiations were to commence, Costa would require a mandate from other EU leaders to proceed. Reports, although not officially confirmed, suggest that there have been two conversations between Costa’s chief of staff, Pedro Lurtye, and Yuri Ushakov, a long-time aide to Putin on foreign policy, in recent weeks.
While these contacts have stirred controversy within the EU, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly urged the bloc to enhance its role in negotiations with Putin. The summit also touched upon the idea of appointing a European negotiator to facilitate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict, though this proposal has not gained significant traction.
In addition, it was noted that Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are reportedly developing a plan to involve Putin in the negotiation process, although details remain sparse.
Background:
- At the summit, António Costa explained to EU leaders the rationale behind initiating contact with Moscow.
- Prior discussions included the suggestion of appointing a negotiator from Europe to engage in talks regarding the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war, a proposal that has yet to see active development.
- Unconfirmed reports indicate that Germany, France, and the UK are working on a strategy to involve Putin in negotiations.
The recent EU summit highlighted significant discussions regarding contacts with the Kremlin, initiated by António Costa. While no formal decisions were made, the topic dominated the agenda, reflecting ongoing tensions and differing views among EU leaders on engaging with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.