"Economist and policy expert Elina Ribakova says that European participation is essential to avoid sidelining regional interests. "Without Europe, we could have already seen 'peace' whereby Russia, with the help of the US, gets Ukraine to make concessions," she told DW, adding, "that would undermine its sovereignty and expose other countries in the region to Russian assertions of its perceived entitlement to the sphere of influence' in Eastern Europe."
"In response, there have been growing discussions within the EU about appointing a special envoy to engage directly with Moscow. For much of the Ukraine war, the EU's approach toward Russia has focused on applying economic pressure and military support for Ukraine. The United States and Turkey have taken a role at the forefront of talks. Any move to talk directly with President Vladimir Putin through a coordinated EU envoy would represent a tactical shift."
Europe is increasingly uneasy about being absent from recent Russia-Ukraine peace talks, after a US-brokered round in Abu Dhabi excluded direct EU participation. The EU is discussing appointing a special envoy to engage directly with Moscow, marking a tactical shift from focusing on economic pressure and military support for Ukraine. The United States and Turkey have led negotiations, raising concerns that without European involvement Russia might secure concessions that undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and regional security. Engaging Moscow would be largely symbolic initially, though it could yield tangible outcomes. Internal divisions among member states complicate any unified EU diplomatic push.
Read at www.dw.com
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