Moscow welcomes the “positive shift” in statements recognizing the need for dialogue with Russia from Western European leaders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. 

The EU and UK have refused outright to enter into any talks with Russia for four years, since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, though talks with the US have been ongoing since last year. Recent statements from the French, German, and Italian leaders suggest a U-turn in their thinking, however.

Peskov told reporters on Friday that “surprising as it may seem,” the views expressed in the statements are “entirely consistent” with Moscow’s perspective. 

If such remarks “truly reflect the strategic vision of the Europeans, then it represents a positive evolution in their position,” he added.

Peskov mentioned a history of “utopian statements” from Western European leaders and senior EU officials, calling for “a crushing defeat of Russia.”

His comments follow remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said on Wednesday that the EU must “find a balance again with our largest European neighbor.” French President Emmanuel Macron last month also called to “properly” restart discussions with Moscow – a view echoed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said “the time has come for Europe to talk to Russia.”

By contrast, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has dismissed calls for talks, urging Western Europe to increase economic pressure on Russia and expand weapons supplies for Ukraine.

Moscow has consistently said it is open to negotiations and would prefer a diplomatic resolution to the hostilities. Russian officials have described the Ukraine conflict as a proxy war waged by the West against Russia, accusing Western European capitals of deliberately prolonging the fighting to pursue their own geopolitical interests.

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