EU Council President Antonio Costa pushes for direct diplomatic channel with Russia

European Council President Antonio Costa warned that there are “no reliable signs that Russia wants serious peace negotiations” with Ukraine and called on the European Union to create its own direct diplomatic channel with Moscow. Costa said the EU should be able to convey its positions to Russia without intermediaries, while stressing that the Union will not act as a neutral mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. The move has garnered mixed reactions among EU member states: Portugal, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia and Bulgaria welcomed the initiative, whereas Poland, the Baltic countries and several northern states expressed concerns. The proposal was discussed at the EU summit in Brussels, where leaders noted the need for coordinated EU‑wide contacts with Russia in case conditions become suitable for negotiations.

The discussion reflects ongoing EU efforts to balance support for Ukraine with the desire to keep communication lines open with Russia, aiming to protect European security interests while avoiding a formal mediation role.