Estonian PM calls Costa's Russia outreach 'misguided'

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal has issued a strong warning against European Council President António Costa's efforts to establish diplomatic backchannels with Russia, stating that such moves are 'misguided' and could undermine the bloc's unified support for Ukraine.

Michal told POLITICO that the European Union cannot assume the role of mediator in negotiations with Moscow, as it would inevitably constrain its ability to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. He emphasized that Russia continues to reject realistic peace proposals and that any diplomacy must be led by Kyiv.

The criticism follows confirmation that Costa's chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, reached out to a senior Russian official. This move has reportedly raised concerns among EU member states that were not informed of the plan, with many believing Moscow remains committed to its aggressive stance.

Michal argued that suggestions of alternative or backdoor diplomatic tracks are misguided, and the objective remains for Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept the conditions set by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He cautioned against attempts to pursue alternative negotiating frameworks with dictators, stating that democratic nations often end up negotiating among themselves while dictators exploit divisions.

Despite the criticism, some officials defended the outreach, describing it as brief contacts with no exchange on substance, aimed solely at establishing a future diplomatic channel to defend EU interests. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever publicly endorsed Costa's efforts, suggesting he is the right person to represent the EU in such discussions.

However, Michal, whose country has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, remained firm, advocating for strategic patience and warning that rushed diplomacy rarely yields lasting or positive results.