Britain has a different view than Italy and France on direct European talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, writes Politico.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that Moscow shows no genuine interest in achieving peace. Speaking to Politico on the 15th of January, Cooper rejected suggestions from the leaders of France and Italy that Europeans should consider resuming diplomatic ties with Putin in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. The minister said that first they need evidence that the Kremlin dictator really wants peace, and so far she does not see it.
Concerns have been raised in Brussels that Washington will take the lead in further talks to end the war in Ukraine and leave the European Union aside. This has already prompted action, and to achieve greater EU influence –
plans include the appointment of an EU envoy to Ukraine
to ensure that the bloc is represented at the negotiating table in the future.
Cooper pointed out that the central figures of diplomatic efforts are currently Ukraine and its closest allies. She emphasized that currently one can see a huge commitment from Ukraine to work with the support of the United States and Europe to create a peace plan that also includes security guarantees. At the same time, she does not see Putin’s desire to sit down at the negotiating table. Given this, the pressure on Moscow should be increased, not reduced. She said that she thinks that in addition to diplomatic efforts, one should also be prepared to increase economic and military pressure on Moscow.
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