Russia feels chill wind blowing from Europe

Troops massed

Meanwhile, tensions between Russia and Ukraine seem set to continue. After six years of an uneasy and at times violated truce, the specter of a new war looms large in relations between the two countries.

In retaliation for Kiev's recent crackdown on pro-Russian media and politicians, Moscow staged a large-scale and ostentatious military buildup along the Ukrainian border.

Although the EU claimed to continue to support implementation of the Minsk Agreements to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine within the Normandy Format, Russia has started to view Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky latest statements as an "official" reneging on the Minsk deal.

Zelensky said in an interview with the Financial Times published on April 26 that he believed it was necessary to make amendments to the Minsk Agreements, and proposed creating another format for talks on Donbass, which would involve "powerful players" and would operate alongside the Normandy Format grouping.

The Normandy Format refers to a group of diplomatic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France formed to resolve the crisis in Ukraine in accordance with the Minsk Agreements.

Meanwhile, during the past two weeks, Zelensky has spoken about the need for a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, even instructing his chief of staff to launch preparations for such a meeting.

Russian newspaper Kommersant said Moscow had not discussed this matter with Kiev in detail, but is ready for a meeting.

Dmitry Peskov, Russian presidential spokesman, told the newspaper that The Kremlin is not opposed to a meeting with the Ukrainian leader. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Kommersant that Ukraine had not initiated discussion about a potential summit.

Ukrainian political analyst Vadim Karasev feels that a meeting between the two leaders is necessary.

"They haven't had a formal meeting for two years. Even if Moscow doesn't want to discuss Donbass, other issues can be touched on. For example, the accumulation of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border is an issue of bilateral relations, but we need to understand that no talk of normalizing relations with Russia can be entertained without at least partial resolution of the Donbass issue," Karasev said.

He is confident that even if Moscow declines a meeting, Zelensky will not "lose points", as he will be able to say he has done everything to resolve the Donbass issue with Russia.

Vladimir Fesenko, head of the Penta Center for Applied Political Studies in Kiev, said there are still many topics for discussion between the two presidents.

"What's important to us is Russia's blocking of waters in the Sea of Azov, the Kerch Strait, and the partial blocking of the Black Sea. There cannot be any normalization of bilateral relations until the hostilities in Donbass end. If things calm down there, the specter of war will dissipate and we'll be able to move forward," Fesenko said.