The EU is seeking a more active role in the negotiations on Ukraine, while Russia, through Sergey Lavrov, is making it clear that it does not consider the EU a partner.<\/p>\n
The intention of the European Union to be ready for future diplomatic engagement with Russia, when conditions permit, was discussed during the session on Ukraine at the Summit of European Leaders<\/b>, which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,<\/b> according to a European official.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov <\/b>appeared today to reject the possibility of the European Union serving as a partner in potential negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
As the European official stated, \u201cthe President of the European Council emphasized the need for the EU to act with confidence in supporting Ukraine and to be ready to assume its responsibilities<\/b>, provided that and when conditions are right for engagement with Russia, thereby helping to ensure a just and lasting peace that will also protect Europe\u2019s interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he noted, \u201cthis is exactly what President Zelenskyy is calling for: a Europe that will play a more active role in diplomatic efforts.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
At the same time, he emphasized that \u201cthe most important factor is that Europeans remain united both in terms of how to approach Russia and in terms of the position the EU should take.\u201d He added that \u201cthe President\u2019s role is to safeguard the unity of the EU,\u201d while recalling that \u201cseveral leaders pointed out that, according to the Treaties, the President is the natural representative of the EU\u2019s interests.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
Referring to the recent limited diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin, the same official stated that \u201cAnt\u00f3nio Costa<\/b> explained that he had asked his office to open a diplomatic channel of communication with Russia, with the aim of being ready, when the right moment comes, to defend the EU\u2019s interests.\u201d He clarified, however, that \u201cthese are brief contacts without any exchange of views on the substance of the matter and without any negotiations,\u201d \u201csimply diplomats carrying out their diplomatic duties.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Council\u2019s conclusions on the issue of Ukraine, which were adopted for the first time in quite some time, a development attributed to a shift in Hungary\u2019s stance<\/b>, according to the same official, \u201cthere is a new sense of unity regarding Ukraine at the European Council table, and this is demonstrated by the adoption of the European Council\u2019s conclusions by all 27 member states.\u201d<\/p>\n90 billion loan<\/h3>\n
In the conclusions, EU leaders welcomed the opening of the first chapter in Ukraine\u2019s accession negotiations, expressing their expectation that the remaining chapters would follow shortly.<\/b><\/p>\n
The European Council looks forward to the first disbursement to Ukraine from the 90 billion for the years 2026 and 2027 before the end of June 2026.<\/p>\n
The European Council reiterates the importance of further reducing Russia\u2019s energy revenues, curtailing the activities of \u201cshadow fleet,\u201d and further weakening its banking system. It welcomes the recent adoption of new sanctions, particularly against the shadow fleet, following the approval of the 20th sanctions package, and calls for the swift adoption of the 21st sanctions package.<\/p>\n
Finally, EU leaders called for an immediate end to all foreign support for Russia and condemned the military assistance it receives from North Korea, Iran, and Belarus.<\/b><\/p>\nLavrov\u2019s Article<\/b><\/h3>\n
In an article written in Russian and English and released by his office, the head of Russian diplomacy argues that, in reality, European leaders have no intention of negotiating with Moscow.<\/p>\n
Their goal is \u201cto strengthen the regime of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and to maintain it as a basis for continuing the conflict with Russia,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
In his article, Sergey Lavrov states that Europe \u201cdreams of expansion\u201d by NATO and EU member states toward Russia\u2019s borders and that, over the past two decades, diplomatic efforts have been nothing more than a \u201csmokescreen\u201d for this very purpose. A dialogue can only take place if there is an impartial third-party mediator<\/b>, he added.<\/p>\n
The Russian foreign minister also reiterated his warning that there is a risk of direct conflict between Russiaand NATO, which could lead to an exchange of nuclear strikes with \u201ccatastrophic consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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