The European Council, under President Antonio Costa, has initiated brief diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin, according to a European official. This outreach aims to establish communication channels with Russia, as the European Union internally debates the value of direct negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The contacts, which occurred over recent weeks, were conducted at a diplomatic level and focused on opening lines of communication. The move comes as opinions diverge within the EU regarding whether direct talks with Russia are a productive path towards resolving the conflict. Details of the discussions remain limited, but the initiative signals a willingness to explore all potential avenues for de-escalation. The EU is weighing the potential benefits of dialogue against concerns about legitimizing Russian actions. This development highlights the complex and evolving strategies being considered to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.