Moscow, Jan 16 (.) Russia has welcomed what it described as a “positive shift” in tone from several Western European leaders over the need for dialogue with Moscow, with the Kremlin saying recent comments mark a notable departure from years of outright rejection of talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had taken note of remarks from leaders in France, Italy and Germany that acknowledge the necessity of engaging Russia to ensure long-term stability in Europe.
“We have noted statements made in recent days by a number of European leaders, namely by Paris, Rome, and even Berlin, strange as it may seem, in favour of the idea that, after all, in order to have stability in Europe, it is necessary to talk to the Russians,” Peskov said. “This is entirely consistent with our vision.”
He added that if the remarks reflect a genuine reassessment of European strategy, “then it is a positive development in their positions.”
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that, not long ago, European capitals were making statements that ruled out any possibility of dialogue with Russia, speaking only of the need to defeat it.
“Such utopian statements! Let’s see how events unfold now,” he said, striking a sarcastic, but still cautiously optimistic tone.
The Kremlin spokesman also highlighted that dialogue channels with Washington are already in place. “We highly appreciate the Americans’ efforts in this regard,” he said, underscoring Moscow’s view that engagement remains possible despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Since the escalation of the conflict, Brussels and London had flat out refused to enter into any talks with Moscow, maintaining a policy of political isolation and sanctions.
However, after the US held intermittent discussions with Moscow since last year, particularly on strategic stability and risk management, there has been some political willingness to diplomatically re-engage with Moscow, though this was also heavily mixed with fears of a Russian military invasion, and doubling down on military budgets.
Recent comments from key European leaders have hinted at a possible recalibration, particularly by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took a full U-turn on his initial hardline stance against Russia.
The German leader on Wednesday had said that if Europe was able to “find a balance again with Russia” in the long run, and “if there is peace… then we can look ahead with great confidence beyond the year 2026.”
French President Emmanuel Macron had similarly argued last month for “properly” restarting discussions with Moscow, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said “the time has come for Europe to talk to Russia.”
The shift has not been universal, though, as the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has sternly rejected all calls for engagement, and urged European allies to instead double down on the economic pressure against Moscow and expand its military support for Kyiv.
Russia has consistently said it is open to negotiations and prefers a diplomatic settlement. Russian officials frame the war as a proxy conflict with the West, accusing European capitals of prolonging the fighting in pursuit of their own geopolitical objectives rather than seeking a negotiated end.
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