Internal battle in the EU over diplomatic channel to Moscow

Costa's decision to have official contact with Russia without first raising the issue with all EU countries has drawn attention. However, both he and his subordinates stress that it should not be seen as a push to negotiate with Moscow.

"The goal is to be ready, when the right situation arises, to defend the EU's interests. What we are talking about are short contacts without exchanges of substance and no negotiations," the dispatch to EU correspondents in Brussels says.

The Baltic EU countries in particular are critical. On the Swedish side, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) is rather reserved.

"I find it difficult to see that it makes so much sense, but I have no strong objections to it," Kristersson says in Brussels.