EU leaders split on opening diplomatic channel with Putin

At a recent EU summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rebuked European Council President Antonio Costa for attempting a back‑channel with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The French and German leaders argued that now is not the time for talks and that any future negotiations should be led by the "E3" of France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Other EU heads, including Estonia’s prime minister Kristi Mihal, defended Costa’s effort, stressing that the EU is not a neutral mediator but a supporter of Ukraine.

EU officials confirmed that Costa’s office has held brief diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin in recent weeks to explore possible communication channels, though no substantive issues were discussed. The Union remains divided over how to engage Russia while continuing to back Ukraine and consider sanctions, especially as U.S. attention shifts toward Iran and oil price pressures.

The debate underscores internal tensions within the European Union about the balance between diplomatic outreach and military support for Kyiv, with potential implications for future EU‑Russia dialogue.