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🇱🇹 Lithuania /Elections & Politics

Estonian minister: Putin wants to involve Europe in negotiations

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna believes Putin aims to draw Europe into negotiations to buy time and avoid further sanctions.
  • Tsahkna stated that US-led peace talks have effectively ended, and Washington will no longer initiate them.
  • He emphasized that Europe's goal is not to mediate but to defend security principles and ensure Russia's accountability.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna returned from a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Sweden, reporting continued strong support for Ukraine and optimistic sentiment due to Russia's lack of progress in the conflict.

Putin wants to involve Europe in negotiations.

· Margus TsahknaDescribing Russia's strategic objective regarding peace talks.

During the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted the stalled peace talks and hinted at a U.S. withdrawal from initiating negotiations. Tsahkna confirmed that Washington will no longer attempt to lead Russia-Ukraine talks. "Essentially, in their previous form, they are over," Tsahkna stated, adding that Putin seeks to involve Europe in discussions.

Tsahkna explained that over a year of "talks", which he characterized as not genuine negotiations, allowed Putin to gain time. During this period, Russia actively engaged in military actions and terrorized Ukrainian society throughout the winter. The Estonian diplomat observed that Russia is actively trying to involve Europe in some form of negotiation, suggesting Europe take on a mediating role.

Essentially, in their previous form, they are over.

· Margus TsahknaCommenting on the status of US-led Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

"The idea is precisely that Europe would take on the role of mediator," Tsahkna said on ERR's "Ukraina stuudio" program. He believes Putin needs time, and European mediation would halt the progression of new sanctions packages, which Putin fears, particularly a potential EU-wide ban on all maritime transport services.

We see that during that time he was very actively engaged in both military actions and terrorizing Ukrainian society all winter.

· Margus TsahknaDetailing Russia's activities during the period of stalled negotiations.

European foreign ministers understand that a hasty meeting with Putin would weaken Europe's position and not aid Ukraine. Tsahkna stressed the need to maintain a strategic pause, increase pressure on Russia, and ultimately compel Putin to engage in serious negotiations. He asserted that Europe cannot act as a neutral mediator, as its goal is to defend the principles of the continent's future security architecture, in which Ukraine will play a significant role, alongside establishing security guarantees, post-war reconstruction, and Russian accountability.

The idea is precisely that Europe would take on the role of mediator.

· Margus TsahknaExplaining Russia's perceived strategy for involving Europe.
About this summary

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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