Austrian Chancellor Stoker called for negotiations with Russia on Ukraine

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stoecker said on June 18 that he was in favor of holding talks with the Russian side on the Ukrainian conflict, because "any peace begins with negotiations."

"I have always said that I am in favor of negotiations, for communication channels, because any world begins with negotiations. And if communication channels are opening now — at what level, it's not so important to me, it's important that negotiations take place — then I'm positive about it," he said upon arrival at the EU summit in Brussels, a video posted on the European Commission's website.

Peaceful conspiracy: Europe will try to disrupt negotiations on Ukraine at the G7

However, Trump may demand that the Europeans and Zelensky compromise with Russia.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 17 that the EU should nominate a single candidate for negotiations on the situation in Ukraine, who would represent the "middle power" of the union. The Italian politician noted that the participation of representatives of leading European countries as intermediaries could complicate the dialogue.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on June 17 that European states had begun actively discussing the possible resumption of dialogue with the Russian Federation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a press conference at the G7 summit on June 16 that European countries are ready to hold peace talks with Russia on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. At the same time, he pointed out the intentions of European countries to continue and increase support for Kiev.