FT: Europe explores direct channel to Kremlin

European leaders are exploring the possibility of direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as frustration mounts over the lack of progress in US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the Financial Times writes.

European Council President António Costa said there was “potential” for the European Union to engage with Moscow, noting that discussions are underway among the bloc’s 27 leaders on how to organise such an effort.

“I’m talking with the [EU’s] 27 national leaders to see the best way to organise ourselves and to identify what we need effectively to discuss with Russia when the right moment comes to do this,” Costa said.

He added that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had encouraged European involvement, saying that at a recent summit, Zelenskyy “invited us to be prepared to contribute positively to negotiations.”

Despite this, Costa stressed that the EU does not want to interfere with ongoing US-led diplomacy. “We will avoid disturbing the process led by President Trump,” he said, while acknowledging there are no clear signals from Moscow. “For the time being, nobody has seen any sign from Russia that they want effectively to engage in serious negotiations.”

Kyiv has also called for stronger European coordination. A senior Ukrainian official said the bloc may need “a leader who could talk to Russia from all the Europeans” to apply “more pressure” on Moscow.

Peace efforts remain stalled. The last trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia took place on February 18. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is working to “ensure that this helps bring a dignified peace closer and guarantee security,” but warned that “the Russian side is not taking a constructive approach even with regard to the ceasefire regime.”

Tensions remain high on the battlefield. After Ukraine proposed a unilateral ceasefire on May 6, Russia launched strikes that killed 27 people and injured at least 120, underscoring the fragile prospects for de-escalation.

Moscow has set tough conditions for talks. Putin has demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of the Donbas region as a precondition, while signalling openness only if counterparts are “prepared to be constructive.”

By Tamilla Hasanova