His view that the European Union must remain ready to negotiate with the powerful man of Libya, Haftarwho is attached to Russia in order to prevent the Russian President Vladimir Putin From giving further impetus to immigration, EU immigration commissioner expressed Politico Magnus Brunner.

“The fact that Russia is increasing its influence in Libya is precisely our concern, and so we must also deal with Libya,” Bruner said in an interview on Friday at Politico at the Summit of European Interior Ministers in the Bavarian Alps. “There is definitely the risk of Russia … to use immigrants and the The issue of immigration as a whole as a weapon against Europe. This arms takes place and of course we are also afraid that Russia intends to do the same with Libya. “

Brunner’s comments come a few weeks after Happy humiliated him Brussels expelling the Migration Commissioner from Benghazi during a visit to the country with ministers from Italy, Greece and Malta, who seek to limit the flow of immigrants entering their countries from North Africa.

Libyan officials declared Brunner “unwanted face” Because he and the other members of the European Diplomatic Delegation, fearing that they will be considered to be legalizing a government that most of the world do not recognize, have refused to be photographed during a meeting with Haftar’s ministers, according to Politico based on talks.

Brunner’s comments suggest that The EU intends to repeat talks with Haftar, Despite European leaders’ reservations about dealing with the strong man. The Warlord controls the Libyan national army and runs eastern Libya as a military dictatorship, while intensifying his cooperation with Putin.

“In Benghazi, we didn’t know who the people were sitting against us,” Brunner said. “The process was not completely clear. And that’s why, in the end, the conversations were not held. But you are of course ready Continue these conversations at all times. In my opinion, this is urgently necessary, “Brunner added.

“There are still technical communication channels that work very well,” he said of the talks between the EU and officials representing Happere.

Growing European urgent need

Europe is acting with an increasing feeling of urgency as the Italy and Greece are sounding the alarm for the growing number of asylum seekers arriving by boats from Libya. While irregular crossing in the EU decreased by 20% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year, Arrivals through the central Mediterranean route from North Africa increasedkeeping this route the most busy of all to the Union, representing 39% of all irregular arrivals.

In response to the increase in asylum seekers from Libya, the Greek government suspended asylum applications for immigrants arriving in Greece by sea from North Africa for an initial period of three months, a move that human rights organizations have criticized.

At the heart of EU concern are fears that Putin will do with Libya what he has already attempted in parts of Eastern Europe, that is, he has launched what EU officials say, one hybrid war on the block involving the weapons of immigration. EU countries accuse Minsk and Moscow of facilitating irregular transactions of asylum seekers through Poland and Lithuania, a tactic aimed at exercising pressure on European governments by sowing political divisions and enhancing support for anti -immigration, often pro -Russian parties.

Brunner said the risks of Putin’s influence in Libya have left in Europe a few options from having talks with Haftar and “putting our table choices on immigration diplomacy”. This would entail the linking of migratory negotiations with issues such as Libya’s development assistance or the facilitation of Libyans to obtain European visas, Brunner said.

On Tuesday, EU interior ministers are expected to consider the question of how Libya will be tackled during an informal summit in Copenhagen, in which Brunner participates.

Libya is still a special concern for EU leaders, as more than 600,000 displaced people reside in the North African country, according to UNHCR.