Russia-Ukraine war: EU says decision on talks with Russia is up to Ukraine

The European Union’s foreign policy chief weighed in on the reports about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as the war moves toward its ninth month. The bloc’s top diplomat said it is up to Ukraine to decide when to start negotiations with Russia.

Speaking to reporters Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the decision on when to enter negotiations with Russia lies with Ukraine. Borrell’s comments come amidst speculations that the West may urge Kyiv to start talks with Moscow.

“Ukraine will decide what to do. Our duty is to support them,” said Borrell when he arrived at the foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

On the same day, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also echoed Borrell’s comments, saying that it is up to Ukraine to decide the terms that are acceptable for negotiations to end the war. Stoltenberg also warned against underestimating Russia even as Ukrainian forces have successfully advanced in key territories.

“We should not make the mistake of underestimating Russia. The Russian armed forces retain significant capabilities, as well as a large number of troops,” Stoltenberg told reporters in a joint news conference with officials from the Dutch government at The Hague.

“The coming months will be difficult. Putin’s aim is to leave Ukraine cold and dark this winter. So we must stay the course,” said Stoltenberg, citing that Ukraine is paying the price when it comes to casualties and damaged infrastructure and that it was up to Kyiv to decide when to negotiate.

During a session of the G20 Summit Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the way for the global economy to recover is to end the war.

A draft declaration by the G20 countries from the summit showed that most of the countries present condemned the war in Ukraine, stressing that it was worsening the flaws in the global economy. The G20 countries also expressed concern about the impact the war has on global food security while calling for central bank independence to make sure they continue their efforts in addressing rising inflation.

The draft declaration has yet to be adopted by the G20 countries.