Spanish FM: Europe must restore ties with Russia after Ukraine war

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has emphasized the necessity for Europe to restore diplomatic relations with Russia once the conflict in Ukraine concludes.

In an interview with a Spanish news outlet, Albares highlighted the enduring geographical and strategic realities that Europe must contend with, including its extensive border with Russia, Caliber.Az reports.

"I believe that all Europeans are very clear about what their relationship with [President Vladimir] Putin should be, what their position is in the face of the war of aggression," Albares stated. "At the same time, we are all aware that the day peace comes, Europe will still have a very long border with Russia, and we must recover a relationship with Russia."

Albares underlined that any renewed engagement with Moscow would be contingent upon foundational principles.

"But under the premises of sovereign equality between States and mutual respect, respect for the European project, which is a project of democracy, pluralism, tolerance, peace," he added.

By Khagan Isayev