EU Quietly Reopens Diplomatic Contacts With Russia

The European Union has quietly reached out to Moscow in an effort to reopen lines of communication and ensure the bloc is not sidelined in any future negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine, officials said, according to Lorne Cook and Mike Corder's report for The Associated Press (AP).

The operation of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 remained unauthorized pipelines remains unauthorized. (Photo: Allseas)

The development comes as Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion more than four years ago, according to Russian officials.

A major oil refinery in Moscow was reportedly struck for the second time in a week, while commercial flights at Moscow-area airports were disrupted.

Despite continuing support for Kyiv, the EU has been exploring ways to restore limited diplomatic contacts with Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has largely sought to negotiate Ukraine-related issues directly with Washington while minimizing Europe's role in discussions over the conflict's future.

"In the past few weeks, brief contacts were made at diplomatic level to open communication channels, but nothing was discussed on substance," an EU official familiar with the outreach said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A second EU official, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that the outreach effort was underway.

"In any future scenario, the EU has specific interests that will need to be defended. Therefore, it is important to have established diplomatic channels with Russia. The EU is not a mediator. It supports Ukraine in its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace," the first official added.