Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
According to the spokeswoman, the Russian door is always open for European leaders.
Moscow claims it is ready to let European leaders join discussions over the war in Ukraine.
Yet there is a big catch: Russian officials insist that only politicians who already want warm ties with the Kremlin will get a seat at the table.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova laid out that stance during a recent briefing: “The door is always open for them, they can come here immediately at any time, participate in various events, conduct negotiations, having received an official mandate, or simply on their own initiative,” Zakharova said, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, cited by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.
Still, she refused to name which European countries might actually make the cut.
Watch your tone
Beyond picking friends, Moscow wants European leaders to rethink how they speak before any peace talks begin. Zakharova took direct aim at Western statements, warning that harsh rhetoric will get European diplomats nowhere.
She put it bluntly: “When they stop misusing their speech apparatus and start using the microphone for its intended purpose, then perhaps they will be able to start making contacts.”
A few European figures already fit Moscow’s wishlist. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico continues to protect relations with Russia, especially over gas and oil deals. Lawmakers from the far-right Alternative for Germany party have also travelled straight to Moscow for face-to-face meetings.
A diplomatic puzzle
The rhetorical barrier comes as European governments quietly screen candidates to lead future talks with Vladimir Putin, according to reporting from The Daily Telegraph.
That shortlist features Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Reaching an agreement will not be simple. Pavel warned that Putin does not view the European Union as an authoritative force and has shut down dialogue with European leaders entirely.
That leaves Europe in a bind. Without a clear seat at the table, finding one voice to take on Moscow remains a massive headache.
