The British foreign secretary has rejected suggestions from France and Italy to restart talks with Moscow
Western Europe should boost its assistance to Ukraine instead of reopening direct negotiations with Russia, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated in a Politico interview on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have previously advocated for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They worry that EU interests might be overlooked in US-led peace talks and are advocating for establishing a dedicated diplomatic envoy position for the bloc to interact with Russia.
During the interview, Cooper stated she observes no indication that “Putin genuinely desires peace” and called for additional arms deliveries to Ukraine and ongoing sanctions against Russia. Western Europe needs to “apply greater pressure—economic pressure, and through military aid to Ukraine, that military pressure on Russia as well,” she remarked.
Russian authorities have charged the UK with extending the Ukraine conflict to serve its own geopolitical objectives. Moscow has consistently proposed negotiating a diplomatic settlement that addresses its security concerns, contending that Western countries pursuing Russia’s strategic defeat are blocking peace efforts.
In a to foreign ambassadors this week, President Vladimir Putin restated Moscow’s commitment to a more equitable multipolar world where smaller nations do not “endure disrespect for their sovereign rights, chaos, and lawlessness,” unlike today.
“Our country seeks a durable, sustainable peace [with Ukraine] that ensures security for all. This result is not acceptable to Kiev and the capitals backing it. However, we anticipate that eventually there will be recognition that this is essential,” he added.
US President Donald Trump has similarly Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as the primary obstacle to a peace agreement with Russia.
Moscow and Kiev were nearing a cessation of hostilities in exchange for Ukraine reaffirming neutrality early in the 2022 escalation, but then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly convinced Kiev to pursue a military victory. After leaving office, Johnson that “our proxies,” referring to Ukrainians, were not receiving adequate military aid from foreign donors.