The German government has restated its opposition to reopening diplomatic channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, an idea that has gained traction after being endorsed by the leaders of France and Italy.
“We support direct talks between Russia and Ukraine on the highest level since there can be no just and durable peace without Ukraine’s participation,” a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office of Germany told Euronews.
“Unfortunately, we have seen no change in Russia’s position so far: Russia continues to repeat maximalist demands and shows no genuine willingness to negotiate as it continues its brutal attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and other civilian targets.”
Last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “sceptical” about the prospect of re-engagement with the Kremlin, pointing to its continued refusal to establish an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, a long-running demand from Europeans.
“We will have to maintain our pressure and sanctions, and intensify them wherever possible,” Merz said, noting that the European Union was already in touch with Kyiv and Washington to convey its unified position.
“Moscow must be willing to end the war. If Moscow isn’t, the price it has to pay for this war, including the economic price, will increase week by week and month by month. That, unfortunately, is the situation we find ourselves in today,” he added.
The comments put Germany, the European Union’s largest member state, directly at odds with France. Last month, after hosting a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, French President Emmanuel Macron said dialogue with Putin, largely interrupted since February 2022, should be launched “as soon as possible”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni then endorsed Macron’s position.
“I believe the time has come for Europe to also speak with Russia,” Meloni said. “If Europe decides to take part in this phase of negotiations by talking only to one of the two sides, I fear that in the end the positive contribution it can make will be limited.”
The European Commission admitted direct talks might take place “at some point”, but High Representative Kaja Kallas, who is part of the Commission, later voiced opposition, calling on Russia to be “serious” and make concessions as a first step.
“What we are working on is putting more pressure on Russia so that they would go from pretending to negotiate to actually negotiate,” Kallas said.
As peace talks advance and security guarantees are fleshed out, European capitals are taking a critical look at their role in the process, whose outcome, if there ever is one, is poised to redefine the continent’s security architecture for generations to come.
For some, Russia’s relentless bombing campaign, which is plunging Ukraine into blackouts at sub-zero temperatures, is reason enough to keep Putin at arm’s length.
“As long as Russia has not changed its actions and objectives in its aggression against Ukraine, it is not possible to engage in talks with Russia, nor should we offer it a way out of isolation,” the Estonian foreign ministry told Euronews.
“We must not repeat mistakes made time and again by restoring relations when Russia has not changed course.”
For others, though, Europeans need to pick up the phone themselves to avoid depending on the White House, which is today the main intermediary with Moscow.
“The EU should consider appointing a special envoy for future peace talks on Russia’s war in Ukraine,” the Czech Republic’s foreign ministry told Euronews. “While negotiations are currently driven by the US, Russia and Ukraine, it makes sense to think about a European role in the longer term in order to remain a relevant participant.”
As the political debate unfolds, Brussels is preparing a new package of ecosanctions against Russia, which is set to be unveiled in the coming days, so that it can be approved by the time the full-scale invasion reaches its fourth anniversary on 24 February.