Key Points:
- Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described statements from France and Italy as “entirely consistent.”
- French President Emmanuel Macron supports re-engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed Macron, stating Europe should talk to Russia.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested the EU should find a future “balance” with Moscow, but has not called for direct talks.
- Since Russia’s war in Ukraine started in 2022, EU-Russia dialogue has largely stopped.
- The EU imposed extensive sanctions and travel restrictions on Russia.
- The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict.
MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Friday welcomed recent calls by certain European countries to resume dialogue with Moscow, describing them as a positive development.
“We have noted statements made in recent days by a number of European leaders, namely by Paris, Rome, and even Berlin, strange as it may seem, in favour of the idea that, after all, in order to have stability in Europe, it is necessary to talk to the Russians. This is entirely consistent with our vision,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“If this truly reflects the Europeans’ strategic vision, then it is a positive development in their positions,” he said.
Dialogue between the European Union and Russia has been largely frozen since Moscow’s war with Ukraine started in 2022, prompting the bloc to impose extensive sanctions and travel restrictions on Russia.
Macron, Meloni support for re-engaging with Moscow
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for re-engaging with Moscow.
“We have noted statements made in recent days by a number of European leaders,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding: “If this truly reflects the strategic vision of the Europeans, then it is a positive evolution of their position.”
Peskov emphasised that this kind of dialogue has been established with the Americans. “We highly appreciate the Americans’ efforts in this regard,” he said.
He added that: “From Paris, from Rome, and even from Berlin, there is support for the idea that for there to be stability in Europe, you need to talk to the Russians. This absolutely corresponds to our position.”
The remarks by Macron and Meloni come as the United States assumes a leading role in efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict between the two countries.
“I think the time has come for Europe to talk to Russia,” Meloni said earlier this month.
Her remarks follow Macron’s December statement that it would be “useful” for Europe to re-engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since the conflict in Ukraine began, few European leaders have spoken with him directly.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not called for talks with Russia but said this week that the EU should find a “balance” with Moscow for the future.
Russia to ‘Toughen’ stance in Ukraine talks
It is pertinent to mention that Russia last month warned it would “toughen” its negotiating position on Ukraine following what it described as a Ukrainian drone attack targeting President Vladimir Putin’s state residences, an allegation denied by Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow’s position in talks aimed at resolving the nearly four-year war would be revised towards a “tougher stance” after the alleged drone attack.
“I find it hard to comment on the impact in detail,” Peskov told reporters as quoted by state-run TASS news agency. “But Russia’s negotiating position will be revised toward a tougher stance.”
