Ukraine's proposal for relaunching talks between Europe and Russia. The truce desired by Kyiv
Ukraine wants Europe to help revive stalled peace efforts with Russia by promoting a limited first step: a halt to airport attacks on both sides.
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The idea, floated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, would give European leaders a concrete role in diplomacy at a time when US-led talks between Moscow and Kiev have slowed and Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little interest in a broader deal to end the war.
“We probably need a new role for Europe in our peace efforts,” Sybiha told POLITICO on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “Maybe we'll try to work it out or get a so-called airport truce.”
The proposal would focus on a limited agreement between Moscow and Kiev on mutual refraining from hitting airports. The Ukrainian official argued that Putin might have an interest in accepting such a deal as major Russian transportation hubs — including Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport and St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport — are becoming increasingly vulnerable to long-range Ukrainian attacks.
“Perhaps our European allies, by creating a platform or perhaps an ad hoc group, could discuss [despre armistițiul aeroporturilor]”, he said, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already discussed the idea with some European leaders.
But Kiev is not asking Europe to replace Washington. Rather, Sybiha said, any European effort should strengthen US-led diplomacy and avoid creating parallel channels of negotiation.
“It should be a complementary path — not in place of, not as an alternative to,” he stressed, adding that Europe should speak “with one voice”.
Europe is analyzing its role
Sybiha's proposal comes as several European leaders argue that Europe needs a more direct role in Ukraine diplomacy.
French President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of direct talks with Putin, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told Welt am Sonntag at the weekend that Europe should have a seat at the negotiating table. Also, Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, told POLITICO last month that the refusal to engage in dialogue with Russia's leadership was “a strategic mistake.”
So far, senior EU officials have been cautious, arguing that Putin has shown no serious intention to stop the war. But EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas opened the way for a discussion on Europe's role on Monday, saying foreign ministers would address the issue at a meeting later this month.
From hopes of peace to war with Europe. Putin has fallen into his own trap and now he simply cannot end the war
On Monday, Kallas also rejected Putin's suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder — a longtime employee of Russian state companies — take on the role of mediator on behalf of Europe.
Sybiha joked that Putin might as well nominate American action movie actor Steven Seagal or French actor Gérard Depardieu, both known sympathizers of Putin's Russia.
According to a European official familiar with the discussion, the Ukrainian foreign minister presented the airport truce proposal to EU foreign ministers in a closed-door meeting. The official urged caution, saying ministers must first define what Europe wants to achieve from direct contact with Moscow.
The EU “cannot act blindly,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.
New sanctions for Russia
Monday's talks in Brussels also included a high-level meeting on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, attended by Sybiha, Kallas and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
Only about 2,100 children have been returned to Ukraine, with around 20,000 still missing.
“I'm a mother of four, and this is the day after Mother's Day in North America,” Anand told POLITICO before the meeting. “We still have a lot of work to do to get the children home to their mothers, to their families, to their country. And that is absolutely a priority for Canada.”
Kallas announced sanctions against more than 20 people involved in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, while Anand pointed out that like-minded states should work together to fill the gaps left by major powers.
“In a world where hegemons are leaving space, whether in the global economy or in defense and security, middle powers like Canada need to step in and fill that space,” she said.
Sybiha described the initiative as part of a broader diplomatic push to support Ukraine. He also cited the 90 billion euro loan from the EU, stabilization of the front line and new defense deals with the Gulf countries as signs that Kiev now has more leverage in any future negotiations with Putin.
Ukraine's bid to join the European Union is a key component of that leverage, Sybiha said. EU membership is a fundamental part of the “security guarantees” Kiev needs before it can sign a peace deal, and the goal remains an “accession agreement” to be signed in 2027, and not more limited formulas such as “associated membership”, an idea floated by Germany, he added.
