The time has come for European governments to engage directly with Moscow, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper published on Monday.
"It's time to start speaking with Russia. When that will be, I don't know," Stubb told the daily.
Stubb said that in his opinion, US policy towards Russia and Ukraine was no longer in line with Europe's interests, meaning that Europe had to engage directly.
"We have spoken with European leaders about who should establish contact," he said, adding that no decision on this had been taken.
The most important aspect was coordination between European countries, especially between France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, along with the Nordic and Baltic countries bordering Russia.
"Whether this will be a special envoy or a group of leaders, we will see," Stubb said.
He pointed to three possible scenarios for Ukraine - continuing war, a ceasefire with a subsequent peace deal or the collapse of one side, most likely Russia.
"I believe that the possibility of a peace deal is not on the table, at least not for this year," the Finnish president said.
