The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said on Monday (11 May) that EU foreign ministers are planning to discuss the possibility of engaging in direct talks with Russia when they meet later this month.
“First, before we discuss with Russia, we should discuss among ourselves what we want to talk to them about,” Kallas told reporters. “There are, of course, a lot of questions related to our requests to Russia in order to have a stable and peaceful Europe.”
She said that EU foreign ministers will raise the issue of direct talks with Russia during an informal meeting in Cyprus between 27 and 28 May, as well as how to prevent Russia’s “constant” attacks on its neighbours.
“We need concessions, also from the Russian side,” Kallas said.
A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Kyiv welcomes the idea of “more coordination on the European level,” proposing a leader who could represent the EU and apply “more pressure” on Russia. In response to a question about “an ideal candidate to represent Europe” in restoring contacts with Russia, Vladimir Putin said:
“Personally, I would prefer former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Otherwise, Europeans should choose a leader they trust, someone who has not badmouthed Russia. We have never closed the door to negotiations. It was not Russia that refused dialogue; it was our counterparts.”
Kallas has dismissed that idea, arguing that Schröder would be “sitting on both sides of the table” as a lobbyist for Russian state firms. Germany also called Putin’s suggestion “not credible.”
Source: commonspace.eu with The Moscow Times and the Kremlin
