Moscow, Russia. The Kremlin said on Friday that President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate with “everyone,” including Europeans, but that Russia would not initiate contacts. The comments followed a Financial Times report that European Union leaders were preparing for potential talks.
FT report on EU preparations
The Financial Times reported on Thursday that the EU shift was prompted by European frustration with negotiations to end the war in Ukraine that have been led by U.S. President Donald Trump. The report said European Council President Antonio Costa believed there was “potential” for the EU to negotiate with Putin and that the bloc had the backing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Kremlin response and conditions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin had repeatedly stated he was ready to negotiate with everyone. Peskov said Russia would be ready to move forward with dialogue “as far as the Europeans are ready to do so,” but added that Russia would not initiate such contacts after the position taken by European leaders.
Break in contacts since 2022
Russia says it is for European governments to make the first move, saying they severed contact with Moscow in 2022 after the start of the war with Ukraine. Peskov said Russia was not the initiator of the complete cessation of relations with the EU, adding that the break was initiated by Brussels and individual European capitals.
Competing narratives over the war
European leaders have said Russia must be defeated in Ukraine and have described Putin as a war criminal and autocrat, warning he could one day attack a NATO member if he is allowed to win the war. Russia has dismissed those claims. Putin, who ordered troops into Ukraine in February 2022, has described European powers as warmongers for supporting Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in support, weapons and intelligence.
What steps, if any, should the European Union take to re-open direct talks with Russia?