EU Quietly Reopens Diplomatic Channels With Russia While Steadfastly Backing Ukraine

The European Union has quietly initiated brief diplomatic contacts with Moscow in a cautious effort to reopen communication channels and avoid being excluded from any future talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, EU officials said Thursday.

The outreach comes as Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than four years ago, Russian officials reported. A major Moscow oil refinery was struck for a second time in a week and commercial flights at several Moscow airports were temporarily disrupted.

EU authorities say the contacts have been limited and tactical — intended to preserve lines of communication rather than to negotiate the terms of any settlement. At the same time, the EU continues to strengthen political and material support for Kyiv.

“In the past few weeks, brief contacts were made at diplomatic level to open communication channels but nothing was discussed on substance,”

an EU official familiar with the approach said on condition of anonymity because the contacts are sensitive. A second official, also speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to brief the press, confirmed that outreach to Russia is under way but declined to elaborate.

“In any future scenario, the EU has specific interests that will need to be defended, therefore it is important to have established diplomatic channels with Russia. The EU is not a mediator. It supports Ukraine in its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace,”

the official added.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Europe cannot serve as a mediator in resolving the conflict, though he has not ruled out talks with the EU. "We have never refused contacts with representatives of the European Union in any format," he said earlier this month. "If they want to talk, they know how to reach us. They can pick up the phone and call. If they want to come, they are welcome to do so."

European Council President António Costa has been coordinating closely with EU leaders on the scope and timing of any engagement with Moscow, officials said. The outreach was reported as EU leaders headed to Brussels for their summer summit, where Ukraine is expected to be a central focus and where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to address the 27-member bloc.

Earlier this week Ukraine formally opened negotiations to join the EU — a long process that will require years of political and institutional reforms even as Kyiv continues to fight the Russian invasion. The outreach to Moscow follows the recent G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, where leaders, including participation from former U.S. President Donald Trump, pledged "unwavering support for Ukraine." Zelenskyy said the G7 meeting yielded key pledges of additional support, including commitments from the United States.

EU officials emphasize that re-establishing diplomatic channels does not change the bloc’s firm support for Ukraine and its stated objective of achieving a just and lasting peace. The contacts are portrayed as precautionary diplomacy to protect European interests in any eventual negotiations.

Reporting: The details in this article are based on accounts from EU officials and public statements by Russian authorities. Additional reporting from correspondents was referenced where applicable.