Europeans should be ready to open their own diplomatic channel to Moscow, but the immediate focus must remain on bolstering Ukraine and intensifying pressure on the Kremlin, France's EU Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad told Euronews. His remarks come as EU foreign ministers prepare to discuss whether to break the diplomatic isolation imposed on Russia since early 2022 and engage directly in peace talks.
In an interview on Tuesday, Haddad stressed that Russia is not engaging seriously in diplomacy and shows no interest in a ceasefire or genuine peace. He noted that Moscow is losing ground both on the battlefield and diplomatically, pointing to Armenia—a traditional Russian ally—shifting its alignment toward Europe after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Russia was hoping for a long time to divide Europeans, that we would weaken our resolve. We've seen exactly the opposite,” Haddad said. “What we've seen is Europeans stepping up and providing the bulk of the support to Ukraine. And we see Russia losing ground everywhere diplomatically.”
EU Weighs Diplomatic Engagement
On Thursday, EU foreign ministers are expected to raise the question of whether the bloc should end its diplomatic freeze with Russia and participate in peace negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni initially endorsed direct European involvement, arguing that dialogue with Vladimir Putin could be useful. However, Europeans were excluded from US-brokered talks that have stalled in recent months, raising fears that Washington is negotiating Europe's security architecture without its input.
Macron sent his diplomatic advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, to the Kremlin in February for talks, only to be rebuffed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Haddad's comments suggest a more cautious stance from Paris, aligning more closely with Eastern European nations skeptical of sitting at the table with Putin.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that direct talks could turn the EU into a “neutral mediator” expected to offer sanctions relief to Moscow. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs cautioned that Russia would treat any outreach as a “PR game,” leaving the EU with little to show for it.
Haddad also voiced support for Ukraine's EU membership bid, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has framed as a key component of future security guarantees. A proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to grant Kyiv “associate” status—such as a seat at Council discussions without full voting rights—has met with skepticism. Brussels officials are struggling to balance swift integration with the strict accession criteria long championed by France.
“I understand the need to send a message, to send a signal to the Ukrainian population that we want Ukraine down the road to be a member, a full member of the European Union,” Haddad said.
The debate over diplomatic engagement comes amid intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities. A recent Russian drone barrage hit a residential area in Kharkiv, underscoring the urgency of continued support. Meanwhile, EU states have summoned Russian envoys over threats to diplomats in Kyiv, and the Council of Europe chief has urged stronger political backing for a tribunal on Ukraine.
As Europe navigates this delicate balance, Haddad's message is clear: prepare for dialogue, but never at the expense of Ukraine's defense or the continent's collective security.
