EU seeks to build diplomatic communication with Russia

The European Union wants to open diplomatic communication channels with Russia to exchange views, but does not claim to be a mediator on the Ukraine issue, European Council President Antonio Costa said on Friday (19/6).

“What I am doing through my office is building diplomatic channels, because we cannot rely only on others to interpret Russian messages and we must be able to convey our own messages directly to Russia,” Costa said at a press conference following the European Council meeting in Brussels.

The European Union must also promptly establish direct contact with Moscow. Costa also said the rules in force in the EU allow him to take the initiative to establish such contact.

At the same time, the European Union does not wish to act as a mediator in negotiations related to the conflict in Ukraine, Costa said.