Europe has made clear that it will not play the role of a neutral facilitator between Ukraine and Russia. The European Union firmly backs Ukraine, and ensuring its safety is a top priority, it said. As EU foreign ministers engage in discussions about possibly reaching out to Moscow, their current strategy involves establishing explicit demands for Russia while intensifying sanctions.

EU countries are divided over whether to even have a European envoy for direct talks with Putin, who, some officials are arguing, is not serious about a ceasefire.

"This is not the right time to rush into any kind of talks" with Russia, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has said as debate over how to end the invasion of Ukraine…