Brussels has opened communication channels with the Kremlin in recent weeks to scope out the potential for talks to end the war in Ukraine, as European capitals debate whether to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pedro Lourtie, chief of staff to EU Council president António Costa, has held telephone calls with a senior official close to Putin, according to two people briefed on the discussions.
“In the past few weeks, brief contacts were made to open communication channels but nothing was discussed on substance,” said one of the people. “In any future scenario, the EU has specific interests that will need to be defended, therefore it is important to have established diplomatic channels with Russia.”
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