Germany sees opportunity for negotiations between Europe and Russia - Reuters
Kyiv • UNN
A German government official stated that an opening for dialogue with the Russian Federation is gradually emerging. Negotiations could begin in a few months with the participation of the E3 group.
An opportunity for dialogue between Russia and Europe regarding the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine is gradually opening up, although it will likely be months before negotiations can begin, a German government official said at a briefing on Wednesday, Reuters reports, according to UNN.
Details
The official, who asked not to be named, said it was important to establish an effective format for dialogue that Europeans would perceive as legitimate.
It is also unclear who would lead such negotiations, although the official said there are strong indications that the E3 group—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—will continue to play an important role in this regard.
As the publication notes, the advance of Russian troops has slowed this year, while Ukrainian forces are increasing pressure on the battlefield and through an intensified campaign of long-range strikes inside Russia, including on Saint Petersburg on Wednesday ahead of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's annual economic forum.
The Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that reaching an agreement to end the war before winter is a "realistic" outcome.
Zelenskyy instructed to attempt to end the war before winter – Budanov01.06.26, 20:03 • 13901 view
The German official stated that recent hostilities indicate it will likely take months, rather than weeks, to reach a point where negotiations can begin, and that the key is to ensure they are conducted with the full consent of Ukraine.
According to the official, coordination—rather than competition—with the United States, whose mediated negotiations have reached a deadlock as Washington focuses on Iran, must also remain a guiding principle, as must close teamwork with Europeans.
Germany and European governments have rejected Putin's suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder could represent them in possible future negotiations with Moscow.