Russia said today that it is open to dialogue with European countries but will not accept ultimatums, as signs are intensifying that the EU might seek talks with Moscow, since it had largely avoided contacts since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said common sense dictates the need for such contacts due to the "excessive number" of complex issues on the agenda, but added that Europeans should change their approach to Russia.
"Europeans have a very serious misunderstanding: They believe that negotiations with Russia should be conducted from a position of validity and based on Russia's weakness. This is the biggest mistake... Such conversations lead nowhere. ." he told reporters himself.
Russlands Außenminister hat erklärt, der jüngste europäische Vorschlag für Friedensgespräche zwischen Moskau und Kiew komme einem Ultimate gleich. Europas Forderungen könnten nicht als Grundlage für Verhandlungen mit Moskau dienen. https://t.co/YQZjlEx8Qd— Bloomberg auf Deutsch (@BGaufDeutsch) June 19, 2026
"Is this because of European incompetence, misinformation or stupidity? We don't know for sure, but it's a fact," Peskov added.
Putin has stated that he is open to talks with European governments but they must take the first step because they are the ones who interrupted contacts. The EU has approved 20 packages of sanctions against Russia since it began its invasion of Ukraine.