Cyprus President proposes direct EU communication with Vladimir Putin

During a diplomatic visit to France and Belgium that began on February 10, President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus addressed EU-Russia relations. In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, he suggested that the European Union should establish a way to communicate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Christodoulides noted that the EU currently relies on the United States as a mediator for such interactions. He questioned why the EU does not speak to Putin directly, given that Washington's negotiations frequently cover topics within the European Union's jurisdiction. The President emphasized the need for European autonomy in diplomatic discussions that affect the bloc. These comments were made while Christodoulides was visiting European capitals to discuss various regional and international issues. The proposal highlights a potential shift in how some EU member states view the current diplomatic structure between Brussels and Moscow.