Kremlin claims EU stance makes negotiations with Russia impossible

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the European Union's position regarding the strategic defeat of Russia makes meaningful dialogue with Brussels practically impossible. Peskov noted that while European leaders exhibit varying approaches, the overarching line from EU institutions remains rigid.

The Kremlin highlighted a distinction between individual European nations and the EU as an organization. Peskov cited recent telephone conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre as examples of leaders engaging in their national capacities rather than representing the EU. During these talks, Stubb and Støre clarified they were acting on their own initiative.

According to Peskov, the current EU focus on Russia's strategic failure serves as an obstacle to diplomatic contact. While Moscow maintains that Europe should participate in negotiations regarding a lasting settlement in Ukraine, Peskov argued that the collective involvement of EU institutions would be meaningless under their current policy framework.