Europe cannot act as mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated, ERR reports. Speaking in an interview on ERR, he said that Russia was trying to pull Europe into taking the role of mediator so as to escape new sanctions. Russia fears that the EU will impose a complete ban on maritime services to Russian ships, Tsahkna noted. So far, Russia has simply been using negotiations to buy time, while continuing to terrorise Ukraine at the same time, he said. However, the talks mediated by the US are now essentially over, Tsahkna stated. Meanwhile, Europe cannot take a neutral position between Ukraine and Russia, as this would mean that the EU would stop discussing new sanctions against Russia, he explained. Instead, Europe must “maintain a strategic and patient pause,” and increase the pressure on Russia, Tsahkna insisted.
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