Politico: Most European countries advocate negotiations with Russia on Ukraine

The majority of the European Union (EU) countries supported the need to establish a direct dialogue with Russia to protect the interests of the commonwealth. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on June 19, citing sources.

The team of the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stated that they had contacts with the Kremlin in order to "create a communication channel." The politician's office clarified that the conversations were short and had no substantive content.

According to Grazeta, despite general support for the strategy, Costa's own actions have drawn criticism from a number of European officials. In particular, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opposed contacts in such a format.

"In order for negotiations with Moscow to work, we need a system of mandating and reporting," one European diplomat told Politico.

Diplomatic round: Turkish Foreign Minister discusses Ukraine crisis in Russia

Ankara is ready to mediate in the negotiations, but Moscow does not see Kiev's desire to engage in dialogue.

Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on June 18 that European countries are guided by the misconception that the situation on the battlefield is changing in favor of the Ukrainian forces. According to Ushakov, this explains the position of European states that advocate the continuation of the conflict.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on June 11 that the so-called peace initiatives of the leaders of Great Britain, France and Germany on Ukraine are actually aimed at preventing conditions for negotiations on a truly lasting peace. According to her, Europe has admitted that it claims a place at the negotiating table by uniting one delegation of the West and Ukraine against Russia.