Photo: Margus Cahkna, Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Instead of talking to Putin, who does not want to negotiate but only makes new demands, we should focus on increasing pressure on Russia. This is not the time to rush into any negotiations,” Euronews quoted him as saying.
Arguments for and against
The leaders of France, Italy, Austria and Belgium openly support the idea of negotiations. The leaders of Germany, Poland, the Baltic States and Northern Europe express doubts and prefer to focus on increasing pressure on Russia’s economy.
The European Commission also warned that the conditions for this are not yet ripe.
Speaking in Vilnius today, EC President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the current circumstances are not conducive to direct negotiations.
“Russia at the moment is not showing any readiness for peace. The bombings last weekend speak for themselves,” she said, noting that a new package of sanctions was already in the pipeline.
The discussion on direct talks will continue Wednesday and Thursday at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cyprus.
