Peskov says Putin will answer calls from Macron and Merz as dialogue voices grow

Is the debate over dialogue with Russia gradually returning to the European political forefront? Recent statements by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicate that Moscow seeks to project an image of availability for communication with European leaders, even during a period in which relations between Russia and the European Union remain at their lowest level in decades. Peskov stated that Vladimir Putin is ready to speak with any foreign leader, including Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, provided there is a relevant initiative on their part.

«He will pick up the phone»
The phrase that stood out from the statements of the Kremlin spokesperson was simple yet entirely political.
According to Peskov, the Russian president remains open to dialogue with everyone and «will pick up the phone» if contact is initiated by any European leader.
The remarks came just a few days after telephone contacts between Putin, the president of Finland Alexander Stubb, and the prime minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre.
These conversations prompted discussions across several European capitals, confirming that, despite the profound political crisis in relations with Moscow, certain channels of communication continue to function.

Putin sees Europeans who do not talk about «strategic defeat»
The intervention by Peskov follows recent remarks by Vladimir Putin himself.
Following the «Russia - Africa» Summit, the Russian president commented positively on contacts with the leaders of Finland and Norway.
At the same time, he argued that in Europe there are still politicians who do not seek the strategic defeat of Russia, but are interested in a more constructive relationship and in keeping communication channels open.
The message was clear.
Moscow is attempting to distinguish European governments between those it considers to be pursuing escalation and those that appear willing to maintain some form of dialogue.

The «Hallelujah» of Fico
These statements strongly recall what Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said a few days ago.
Fico had argued that more and more European politicians are beginning to accept that without talks with Vladimir Putin, no genuine peace settlement can exist in Ukraine. Indeed, he used the characteristic phrase:
«Hallelujah!».
According to him, Europe is beginning to understand what his government had maintained since the beginning of the war: that no conflict of this magnitude can be resolved without direct dialogue between the primary parties involved.

Are supporters of diplomacy increasing?
On the same wavelength recently was the prime minister of Republika Srpska («Serb Bosnia»), Savo Minić.
He stated that an increasing number of European politicians realize that isolation and severing relations do not constitute a solution.
In his view, diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication remain irreplaceable tools, even between states in deep political confrontation.
These positions, although originating from different countries, converge on a common point: the necessity of dialogue between Europe and Russia.

Severing communication as a strategic mistake
The Kremlin has insisted on this argument for months.
Peskov himself stated in May that the complete severance of communication between Brussels and Moscow constitutes «great foolishness».
According to the Russian reading, the lack of dialogue permits neither the management nor even the discussion of the problems that have accumulated in relations between the two sides.
This stance does not mean, of course, that disagreements disappear.
It means, however, that Moscow seeks to present itself as the party keeping the window of communication open.

Return to diplomacy or situational maneuvers?
The big question is whether all this represents the first signs of a broader shift in the European political climate or simply isolated moves without follow-up.
For now, the official line of the European Union toward Russia has not changed.
However, telephone contacts, statements by leaders such as Fico, and continuous references to the need to maintain diplomatic channels show that the debate is gradually resurfacing.
And perhaps that is the most important message behind the latest statements by Peskov: namely, that despite the depth of the crisis, Russia considers that the door to dialogue has not closed definitively, and that in certain European capitals, political forces thinking in a similar way are beginning to emerge...

www.bankingnews.gr