The European Union is a “direct participant” of Russia’s war in Ukraine and therefore cannot serve as a good-faith mediator between the two countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
“It’s obvious that Europeans do not want to, nor can they, become mediators. Furthermore, they are now effectively direct participants in the war on Kyiv’s side,” Peskov told reporters.
He disparaged Brussels for trying to deal what he called “a crushing blow” to Russia, which he said makes it impossible for the bloc to play a role in peace talks.
European Council president António Costa said last week that he saw “potential” for the EU to negotiate with President Vladimir Putin, provided such efforts are coordinated with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
A senior Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Kyiv welcomes “more coordination on the European level” if it can help apply “more pressure” on Russia.
