Stubb announced that the moment was approaching for the start of a direct dialogue between the EU and Russia

The time is coming for the European Union (EU) to restore direct dialogue with Russia. This was announced on March 17 by Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

"I think we are approaching the moment when the political channels of negotiations with Russia will be open," Stubb said during a speech at the British think tank Chatham House (recognized in Russia as an undesirable organization at the Royal Institute of International Relations).

The politician stressed that cooperation with Moscow should take place on behalf of the entire association, and not through bilateral relations with each of the EU countries. In his opinion, this will allow Brussels to build a more general coordinated position on key issues. At the same time, the Finnish president called on Europe to take on more responsibility for Ukraine.

In addition, he called it useful to be able to make decisions on sanctions against Russia without Hungary.

A wave of discussion: how the European Union is trying to hinder the peace process in Ukraine

The EU promised Kiev joint security guarantees with the United States and announced new sanctions against Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday that the EU has discredited itself, there is nothing in sight that could be constructively perceived with an eye to negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement. The minister stressed that Europe had several chances to reach an agreement, including in April 2022, when the Europeans dissuaded Ukraine from complying with the agreements reached in Istanbul.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on March 13 that the European Union hopes for an escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, as it is not succeeding in other areas. According to the diplomat, the European Commission is suppressing any efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and is doing everything possible to ensure that the Kiev regime survives.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.