Talking with Putin? “We are not there yet” (EU spokesperson)
Brussels – “We are not there yet,” responded Paula Pinho, spokesperson for the European Commission, when asked about a possible resumption of contacts with the master of the Kremlin.
“But, at some point, we hope there will be such discussions that will finally make it possible to achieve peace in Ukraine,” she added.
“Unfortunately, we do not see any sign that President Putin is engaging in such discussions,” she lamented.
Ms Meloni and Mr Macron have both considered it useful to resume contact with the Russian president, with the head of the Italian government suggesting the appointment of an EU special envoy for Ukraine, with a view to this possible resumption of dialogue with Moscow.
According to Ms Meloni, this “would make it possible to summarize, to speak with a single voice” because “since the beginning of the negotiations, many voices have been speaking, many formats exist.”
Questioned about this idea put forward by Rome, the spokesperson refused any “speculation” on the subject. (12 January 2026)
