Moscow does not see a German representative as a suitable figure for possible mediation between Russia and the European Union, while the EU itself is looking more closely at potential candidates from France or Italy, Vedomosti reported, citing a source close to Russian security structures.

The source said such a dialogue could not begin before a ceasefire in Ukraine. Even contacts with the United States on conflict settlement have been on pause for three months, he noted, making it impossible for now to speak about any clear timeline for a halt in fighting. If talks involving the European Union do eventually begin, the source assessed that they could drag on indefinitely.

A Vedomosti source in the Russian Foreign Ministry was also skeptical about both the possible choice of negotiators from EU countries and the prospects for such discussions at the current stage. He described European talk about potential mediators, as well as media reports on the issue, as nervous attempts to present wishful thinking as reality.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Vladimir Zelensky held a meeting at Downing Street. Afterward, the participants announced plans to organize joint production of long-range weapons and air defense systems for Ukraine. The talks also covered expanded industrial cooperation with Kiev, which they believe should strengthen Europe’s defense.