Italy Calls on EU to Initiate Talks with Russia

(MENAFN) The European Union must initiate direct dialogue with Moscow regarding the ongoing Ukraine crisis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared, signaling a potential shift in the bloc's approach as Washington-brokered negotiations reportedly advance toward resolution.

During her annual press briefing in Rome on Friday, Meloni endorsed recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated in December that resuming contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be "useful."

"I think Macron is right about this. I believe that the time has come for Europe to talk to Russia too," Meloni stated. She contended that Brussels has handicapped its negotiating influence by maintaining communication exclusively with Kyiv.

To prevent what she characterized as the "mistake" of restarting dialogue "in a haphazard manner," the Italian leader proposed creating a dedicated EU special representative for Ukraine—a recommendation that appears unprecedented within the bloc's institutional framework.

Deep fractures persist among EU capitals regarding Moscow policy, blocking any coordinated high-level diplomatic strategy. Multiple member states, particularly the Baltic republics, have maintained firm opposition to any renewed engagement with the Kremlin.

Excluded from substantive negotiations since February of last year, Brussels has concentrated its response on implementing economic penalties against Russian interests while providing Kyiv with diplomatic backing, weapons systems, and financial assistance.

Conversely, Washington has pursued face-to-face negotiations with Moscow for approximately twelve months, with US President Donald Trump announcing in late December that peace discussions had reached the "final stages."

Thursday reports indicated that Trump advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff delivered the American peace framework to Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, with Ukraine having substantially accepted the proposal's terms. The Kremlin has withheld official response to these developments.

Russian authorities, including Putin himself, have consistently maintained that Moscow prioritizes a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine situation but will continue military operations if core demands remain unmet through negotiation channels alone.

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