The SPD called for direct negotiations between the EU and Russia on Ukraine

It is necessary to establish direct negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Russia on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine. This was stated on January 28 by Bundestag deputy, foreign policy expert of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) faction Adis Akhmetovich.

"We see that there is little progress in negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine and that we, the Europeans, are not sitting at the negotiating table. Therefore, I advocate the search for new ways, including clarifying the issue of at what level and by whom diplomatic contact with Russia should be established," the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper quoted Akhmetovich as saying.

He expressed skepticism that the negotiation process was being led by two American businessmen, special envoy to the U.S. President Steve Witkoff and deputy head of State Jared Kushner, and called on the German government, together with European partners, to develop a strategy to return to the negotiating table.

Rolf Mutzenich, the former head of the SPD faction, also supported the idea of direct negotiations, noting that after the experience of recent months, American negotiators allegedly cannot be trusted to take into account European interests.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not yet entered into telephone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which, according to Akhmetovich, indicates the lack of a bold European position.

Standing peacefully: what to expect from a new round of negotiations between Russia, the United States and Ukraine

And which issues of conflict resolution remain the most difficult?

Kirill Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (listed in the Russian Federation as a terrorist and extremist) 20 explicitly recognized the need for cooperation with Russia in the framework of the conflict resolution process. He noted that Kiev had previously tried to achieve an end to the conflict, but "nothing happened" without Moscow's participation.

The Italian newspaper IL Fatto Quotidiano (IFQ) reported on January 12 that the EU finally realized that the conflict in Ukraine cannot end if it continues to "support Kiev to the bitter end." EC representative Paula Pinho acknowledged that "at some point, negotiations with President Putin will be necessary."

Politico reported on January 13 that recent statements by the leaders of Italy and France about the need for the EU to start negotiations with Russia in the future have found support in some European countries. It was clarified that French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted in recent days that, against the background of bilateral contacts between the United States and Russia, it is important for Europe to be at least partially involved in the negotiation process.

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