EU's Mogherini suggests better Russia ties to push Ukraine peace

European Commission High Representative Federica Mogherini listens during a news conference in Riga January 8, 2015. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has suggested EU states could re-engage with Russia on global diplomacy, trade and other issues in return for gradual steps to defuse the crisis over Ukraine.

A discussion paper seen by Reuters that was distributed to governments ahead of a meeting of the 28 EU foreign ministers in Brussels next Monday said the bloc might consider reviving joint efforts with Moscow in tackling problems with Syria and Iraq, Libya, Iran, North Korea as well as Ebola and the Palestinian issue.