Lithuania's Nauseda Urges EU to Delay Russia Talks as Bloc Reopens 1 Diplomatic Channel
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18
Lithuania's Nauseda Urges EU to Delay Russia Talks as Bloc Reopens 1 Diplomatic Channel
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18
Summary
Brussels-based remarks from President Gitanas Nauseda sharpened resistance to early EU peace talks with Russia, with the Lithuanian leader saying now is not the time to negotiate with Vladimir Putin.
Nauseda argued Putin "doesn't want to see us at the table," directly pushing back on the EU's latest effort to engage Moscow over how to end the war in Ukraine.
1 round of brief diplomatic contacts was opened by the EU earlier Thursday to restore communication channels and avoid being sidelined in any future Ukraine negotiations, though officials said no substantive issues were discussed.
The split highlights a wider EU dilemma: keeping channels to Russia open while backing Kyiv and trying to preserve influence over any eventual settlement.
Is the EU’s secret outreach to Russia a masterstroke of diplomacy or the first crack in its support for Ukraine?
As Ukraine begins EU talks, could a secret Brussels-Moscow channel end up defining its borders and future on different terms?
Europe’s 2026 Russia Dilemma: Quiet Diplomacy, Sanctions, and the Struggle for a Unified Ukraine Policy
Overview
In June 2026, the European Union began limited and cautious diplomatic contacts with Russia, led by European Council President António Costa and supported by ad-hoc meetings involving key EU member states. These engagements, including Costa’s presence at the G7 summit and direct talks between EU ambassadors and Russian officials, reflect a delicate balancing act as the EU debates how to manage relations with Moscow. However, these contacts remain fragmented and do not represent a unified EU policy, highlighting ongoing internal divisions and the complexity of forming a cohesive strategy toward Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.