Overview
- The Kremlin, which on Friday said President Vladimir Putin is open to talks with Europeans, stressed Russia will not initiate contact after ties were cut in 2022.
- European Council President António Costa said there is potential for EU outreach to Moscow, yet he emphasized this is not a plan and urged leaving space for the U.S. process.
- Costa's remarks followed reporting that frustration with stalled U.S.-mediated talks pushed some European capitals to prepare fallback options.
- EU governments have not agreed on who would represent the bloc, when talks might start, or what offer to take to Moscow, and senior officials say the EU is not ready to lead negotiations.
- Ukraine confirmed consultations with EU leaders and voiced conditional support for a European role, while noting Russia may refuse talks without U.S. involvement; EU ministers will discuss the issue in Cyprus at the end of May after Kaja Kallas circulated a February options paper, with leaders expected to revisit it on June 18.