Baltic States Leaders Call for Talks with Russia Amidst European Divisions

Riga/Tallinn - Ekhbary News Agency

Baltic States Leaders Call for Talks with Russia Amidst European Divisions

In a notable departure from years of diplomatic estrangement, the leaders of Latvia and Estonia have publicly called for direct engagement and talks with Russia. This significant policy pivot, reported by Euronews, signals a potential recalibration of the Baltic states' approach towards Moscow after a four-year period characterized by a refusal to engage. Both Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Estonian President Alar Karis separately proposed that the European Union should appoint a dedicated special envoy to spearhead the reopening of diplomatic channels with Russia.

These proposals were articulated on the sidelines of a summit held in Dubai on Wednesday, highlighting a growing divergence among major European powers regarding the strategy towards Russia. While the initiative has found backing from prominent figures such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, it has been met with strong opposition from other key players, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who reportedly dismissed the idea outright. This internal division within the EU underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the difficulty in forging a unified stance on engagement with Moscow, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Latvian Prime Minister Siliņa emphasized the necessity of dialogue, stating, “We have to be at the negotiation table because Ukrainians themselves have started to negotiate. So why should Europeans not negotiate?” She further argued for Europe's inclusion, suggesting, “We should have a say as well, but you see, we are a bit late. We should have started it, maybe not [US] President [Donald] Trump, but maybe the European Union.” Her remarks suggest a belief that European interests are best served through direct participation in diplomatic efforts, rather than relying solely on sanctions or indirect influence.

Estonian President Karis echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Moscow. For nearly a year, the United States has been engaged in direct diplomatic discussions with Russia. Meanwhile, the European Union, finding itself largely sidelined from these direct negotiations, has primarily focused on imposing stringent sanctions against Russia and providing substantial diplomatic, military, and financial backing to Ukraine. Historically, several EU member states, including the Baltic nations, have been staunch opponents of any re-engagement with Russia, advocating for a policy of containment and pressure.

The recent Moscow-Kiev-Washington talks, held in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, marked the first direct engagement between these parties since February 2022. Although described as constructive, the discussions did not yield any concrete agreements. Following this meeting, Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, advised against pursuing direct re-engagement with the Kremlin, insisting that Moscow must make significant concessions before any meaningful dialogue can proceed. Conversely, Russian officials have frequently accused Ukraine's European supporters of obstructing US-led peace efforts and of actively preparing for a direct confrontation with Russia.

A second round of Russia-Ukraine-US talks convened in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the outcomes of this latest round of discussions. Russia has consistently maintained its preference for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict but has also made it clear that it remains prepared to achieve its objectives through military means if diplomatic avenues prove fruitless. This dual stance continues to shape the dynamics of the conflict and the broader international relations concerning the crisis.

The call for dialogue from Latvia and Estonia, traditionally among the most hawkish nations regarding Russia, is particularly significant. It suggests a growing recognition within these Baltic states that a complete diplomatic freeze may not be the most effective long-term strategy for resolving the conflict or ensuring regional stability. The proposal to appoint a special EU envoy could, if adopted, provide a structured framework for dialogue, potentially allowing Europe to exert greater influence on the peace process. However, the existing divisions within the EU pose a considerable challenge to implementing such a unified approach, potentially limiting the impact of any future diplomatic overtures.

Ekhbary News Agency