Belgian PM calls on EU to develop strategy for talks with Russia

Prime Minister of Belgium Bart De Wever has urged European countries to develop a clear strategy for negotiations with Russia.

He made the proposal ahead of a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels. De Wever stressed that engaging in talks with Russia does not contradict continued support for Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“We strongly support the introduction of a 20th package of sanctions against Russia. This is very important for us, including measures targeting oil and gas,” the Belgian prime minister said.

“Therefore, we must continue one hundred percent support for Ukraine, one hundred percent pressure on Russia, and negotiations.”

“We need a strategy for conducting negotiations. There should be no intention to prolong this war for years, sacrificing many Ukrainian lives, only to eventually return to talks anyway,” De Wever added.

Earlier, De Wever called on EU authorities to obtain a mandate from member states to negotiate with Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine. He warned that if Europe is absent from the negotiating table, there is a high risk that a deal will be reached that would not be in the bloc’s interests.

Commenting on the Belgian prime minister’s proposal, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that “common sense does exist.”

By Khagan Isayev