Superfluous EU: Brussels is not ready to resume dialogue with Russia on Ukraine
The prospects for the EU's contacts with Russia directly depend on the real willingness of its leadership to reconsider its anti-Russian foreign policy course and to properly respect Moscow's legitimate interests. This was stated to Izvestia by Vladislav Maslennikov, head of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry. European countries intend to discuss the candidacy of a negotiator with Russia at the next meeting of the EU Council, Western media write. Ukraine, for its part, is trying to involve Brussels in the negotiation process. However, experts are confident that the association is currently unable to take the place of the United States in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, nor to become the fourth participant in a peaceful settlement.
Why Europe is not ready for dialogue
Russia does not see Europe's willingness to become a part of the negotiation process on Ukraine. The countries of the region, many of which continue to actively supply the Ukrainian army with weapons and ammunition, fully support Kiev, are engaged in the militarization of the continent and are developing new sanctions against the Russian Federation. In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasizes that it was the Europeans who established a self-ban on direct contacts with Moscow.
— In these circumstances, it is difficult to talk about the real readiness of Brussels to resume any meaningful dialogue with our country. So far, everything is limited to internal EU speculation regarding the candidacy of a possible EU negotiator. However, the EU has not yet agreed on what to discuss with Moscow. And whether they can come to an agreement is a big question," Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Department of European Problems at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Izvestia.
The diplomat emphasizes that for Russia, the very essence of the European negotiating position is much more important.
— The prospects of our contacts with the European Union directly depend on the real willingness of its leadership to reconsider its anti-Russian foreign policy course and to properly respect our legitimate interests. We have not refused to engage in dialogue with Europe, on the contrary, we have always advocated resolving all existing differences with our Western neighbors through diplomacy," Vladislav Maslennikov said.
Earlier, the Financial Times newspaper reported that the foreign ministers of the EU countries at an informal meeting on May 27-28 in Cyprus will discuss candidates for the role of mediator for negotiations with the Russian Federation. Among them are former Italian and German heads of government Mario Draghi and Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his predecessor Sauli Niinisto. The candidacy of the head of European diplomacy, Kai Kallas, was also considered, but her appointment may be hindered by her too belligerent position towards Russia.
Ukraine supports the participation of European representatives in negotiations with Russia. Unsurprisingly, European countries have become key military donors to Ukraine. The leadership of the Europeans was finally consolidated in the face of a sharp reduction in allocations from the United States. According to the Kiel Institute of World Economy, the total amount of military aid provided by EU institutions and individual member states exceeds €70 billion. For comparison: the United States — about €64 billion. Following the last meeting of the contact group for support of Ukraine in the Ramstein format, new military assistance was promised primarily by the Europeans. In April, Germany and Ukraine agreed on a new defense package worth €4 billion.
— Initially, Ukraine linked its fate with America. However, this alliance broke up. Surprisingly, Germany became the leading European power that raised the banner of protectorate over Kiev. Under Friedrich Merz, Berlin has become the main military and political patron of Ukraine," German political analyst Alexander Rahr told Izvestia.
Western aid is being used by Ukraine, including for attacks on civilian targets. At the same time, European leaders ignore even the most high-profile war crimes and terrorist attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For example, the recent attack on the academic building and dormitory of the Starobilsk College (LNR), which resulted in the death of over 20 civilians. By the way, the Russian Foreign Ministry officially announced that the Russian Armed Forces intend to launch systematic strikes against decision-making centers and enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex in Kiev. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov brought this information to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"If we talk about the coverage of this tragedy, we have not heard any official statements condemning Kiev. We have not seen any actions that could be interpreted as condemning this barbarism and terrorist act of attacking young people," Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 25.
The EU as the fourth participant in the negotiations
Talks about the need to restart direct contacts with Russia on Ukraine began in Europe last year, when Washington resumed dialogue with Moscow. The United States joined the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and in early 2026, several rounds of meetings were held with the participation of the United States - two in the UAE and one in Switzerland. France tried to take timid steps: in February, it was reported that President Emmanuel Macron sent his diplomatic adviser to Moscow in order, as reported in the media, to convince Russia that Europeans should participate in decision-making regarding European security and the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. Back then, Moscow was skeptical about Paris' initiative.
— We have not seen a single peace settlement project from Europe. Just demands for surrender, reparations, and everything else. There is no mood for a peaceful settlement. Therefore, all these actions that were taken were aimed at disrupting the negotiation process, in particular with the participation of the United States," Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador—at-large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for crimes of the Kiev regime, told Izvestia.
Meanwhile, a split is growing in the EU between supporters and opponents of dialogue with Russia on Ukraine. For example, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supports the idea of a mediator to start negotiations between the European Union and Russia. The politician himself remains in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin — he was the only EU leader who came to Moscow on May 9th. Eastern European countries believe that Europeans should not try to become mediators. "The role of mediator means a neutral position to find a compromise between Ukraine and Russia. This is absolutely not our goal," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna bluntly admitted.
Experts interviewed by Izvestia are confident that so far the European Union can neither replace the United States nor become the fourth participant in the negotiations along with the Americans. Natalia Eremina, a professor at St. Petersburg State University, believes that a change in the composition of the European Commission could be one of the factors that would facilitate the resumption of EU-Russia contacts on Ukraine. However, this will not happen until 2029 at the earliest.
— China and India are needed as independent intermediaries. The EU takes the side of the enemy, it is the representative of Ukraine. There's nothing to talk about with him right now. But in the future we will have to," says Vadim Trukhachev, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
The expert believes that the EU is even more important as a negotiator than the United States. In Europe, it is noted that the enlargement of the EU and Ukraine's accession to it serves as a "key point" for the peaceful settlement of this conflict. Russia is also not against the country's admission to the European Union, but there is no consensus in the EU itself about the prospects for Kiev's membership. Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took the initiative to grant Ukraine the status of an "associate member" without the right to vote, but Zelensky rejected this idea.
At the same time, the United States maintains contacts with both Ukraine and Russia. Negotiations mediated by the United States are currently on pause due to Kiev's unwillingness to compromise, including on territorial issues. Besides, Washington is too busy resolving the conflict with Iran. At the same time, special envoys of the American leader Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to visit Russia in the coming weeks.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
