BRUSSELS, October 30. /TASS/. The European Union lacks a common negotiating position that would enable it to engage in talks with the United States and Russia on Ukraine. According to a diplomatic source in Brussels who spoke to TASS, the European Commission’s objective in discussions among EU member states on possible negotiations with Moscow is not to secure a specific outcome, but rather to retain control over the process and prevent divisions from emerging within the bloc.
"The European Commission’s actions in the internal EU debate on potential negotiations with Russia are not aimed at finding a solution to end the conflict in Ukraine. They are directed solely at maintaining control over any attempts at negotiation, in order to prevent any fractures in EU unity regarding the confrontation with Russia and support for Ukraine," the source said.
The source stressed that meaningful negotiations require "a clearly defined negotiating position, including an understanding of possible compromises and the desired outcome."
No Basis for Negotiations
"Any negotiating position adopted by the European Commission on behalf of EU member states must first be agreed upon by the member states within the Council of the EU. Only then can the Commission be granted a clear mandate to conduct the talks. None of these conditions has been met," the source noted.
According to the source, EU member states have failed to formulate a common position identifying the compromises Europe might be prepared to consider in discussions with Washington and Moscow aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Instead, the debate within the bloc has focused on who might represent Europe in potential negotiations - a discussion that ultimately led nowhere.
"Brussels is now left with a 20-point document drafted by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, which merely reiterates demands put forward in 2022, without taking current realities into account," the source told TASS.
The document calls for Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO, the preservation of its territorial integrity, and the strengthening of its armed forces. However, it makes no mention of what concessions the European Union might be willing to offer to help bring the conflict to an end.
"In short, the European Commission has no substantive basis for negotiations with Russia. Nevertheless, it insists that even technical contacts with Moscow concerning Ukraine must be coordinated by the head of Ursula von der Leyen’s cabinet. In other words, the objective is not to reach an agreement, but to keep the entire discussion surrounding contacts with Russia under its control," the source explained.
Political Masochists
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described EU leaders as "political masochists" for continuing to support Kiev despite the worsening situation in their own countries.
He stressed that European leaders were trying to convince their populations that they must sacrifice "everything - wages, jobs, the scope of healthcare services and, essentially, social benefits" to enable Ukraine to defeat Russia.
Lavrov also recalled recent remarks by German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, who stated: "The main thing for us is not Germany, not the European Union, not NATO, not the US, and not China - the main thing is to defeat Russia."