French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that Europe may need to directly engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin if U.S.-led efforts toward a Ukraine peace deal fail. European leaders have been dissatisfied with their exclusion from peace talks led by the Trump administration and have been focused on supporting Ukraine’s negotiating position from afar. During remarks in Brussels, Macron emphasized the necessity for a solid peace agreement with security guarantees, suggesting that without this, Europe should prepare to re-establish direct dialogue with Russia. This comes after EU leaders decided to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan, utilizing the EU’s budget rather than frozen Russian assets, amid internal divisions.
Macron argued that the EU cannot afford to lose its communication channels with Moscow, particularly as U.S. officials prepare for talks with Russian negotiators. Most EU nations, except Hungary and Slovakia, have halted communication with Putin since the invasion of Ukraine. Macron highlighted the need for a strategic approach to facilitate renewed discussions with Russia, warning that continued inaction might leave EU leaders isolated and marginalized in negotiations.
Moreover, some EU leaders expressed concerns about diminishing public support for sustaining Ukrainian resistance to the ongoing war. The summit’s outcome aims to support Ukraine financially, reflecting a recognition of the war’s broader implications for European security, despite worries about increasing political pressure and potential public fatigue regarding the conflict. Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen noted that Putin is likely counting on a combination of war fatigue and societal uncertainty to undermine European resolve.
With information from Reuters