COSTA: WE WILL NOT MEDIATE TALKS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND KYIV

BRUSSELS, JUNE 19 /SRNA-Reuters/ - European Council President António Costa said that the EU does not intend to act as a mediator in possible peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, as it is on Kyiv’s side.

Costa said after the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels that the Union should support Ukraine through diplomatic means, including opening a direct channel of communication with Russia.

He stressed that only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has the legitimacy to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.

Costa added that, at this moment, “there are no credible signs that Russia is willing to engage in serious negotiations.”

“I am establishing a diplomatic channel through my office, because we cannot rely solely on others to interpret Russian messages, and we must be able to convey our own messages to Russia,” the President of the European Council said.

An unnamed EU official earlier said that Costa’s office has established diplomatic-level contacts with the Kremlin in recent weeks.