PARIS — French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said on May 28 that the European Union must engage as a direct participant in Ukraine negotiations rather than an impartial mediator.
“In essence, it is not the mediators so much as the aim of mediation that matters,” he stated at a news briefing. “Europe can only be a negotiating party — for its interests are at stake and it possesses various levers at talks.”
Confavreux urged European nations to intensify pressure on Russia until it embarks on a path toward peaceful resolution in good faith.
Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the bloc cannot serve as an unbiased mediator in the Ukraine conflict because it supports Kiev and defends its own interests. She also noted that the EU is preparing new sanctions against Russia to compel participation in negotiations.
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