DistantNews
Support us
Zelenskyy Considers EU Mediation with Putin 'Dangerous'
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Zelenskyy Considers EU Mediation with Putin 'Dangerous'

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Europe should be represented in negotiations to end the war with Russia.
  • However, he considers it "dangerous" for the European Union to act as a mediator, fearing it could compromise pressure on Russia.
  • Zelenskyy emphasized that the U.S. must also be present in any peace process for security guarantees.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes Europe must have a seat at the table for any negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. However, he expressed strong reservations about the European Union acting as a mediator, deeming the role "dangerous" as it could potentially weaken the collective pressure on Moscow.

Speaking after a summit with Nordic and Baltic partners, Zelenskyy explained his concern: "Europe must be in any kind of negotiation. Europe cannot simply mediate, in my opinion, because Europe is on our side. It is very dangerous that it simply mediates. Because, for example, if the EU mediates, it will consider whether or not to impose sanctions, because as mediators they have to be in the middle."

Europe must be in any kind of negotiation. Europe cannot simply mediate, in my opinion, because Europe is on our side. It is very dangerous that it simply mediates. Because, for example, if the EU mediates, it will consider whether or not to impose sanctions, because as mediators they have to be in the middle.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyExplaining his concerns about the EU acting as a mediator in peace talks.

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of increasing pressure on Russia to compel the Kremlin into serious peace talks. His remarks addressed speculation about the EU's potential role in the peace process, a role Russia has largely ignored. The idea of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who held positions in Russian state oil companies, mediating on behalf of the EU was previously rejected by both Ukraine and major European capitals due to his close ties to the Kremlin.

While acknowledging that achieving unanimity among all 27 EU members is challenging, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would accept various European representation options, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. He also asserted that the United States must be involved to provide post-war security guarantees. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's stance against accepting any negotiated agreement presented retroactively by Russia.

Europe must be represented in the negotiation process by Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyySuggesting potential European representatives in peace talks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog