The ESA’s press office confirmed the talks in an emailed
statement, but gave no indication of the outcome.
An update could follow a planned ESA Council meeting on
Wednesday, it said.
The agency said in March it was suspending cooperation with
Roscosmos over their joint ExoMars programme in the wake of Russia’s invasion
in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, told the Russian TASS
news agency over the weekend that the ESA would consult its members following
the talks, but added that the chances for cooperation to resume were low.
“If they meet halfway and say they agree, then the mission
can be implemented,” TASS cited Rogozin as saying, adding that the launch could
take place in 2024.
He said the chances of a positive answer from ESA members
were low, at 7-8%.
Rogozin said in April that restoration of joint space
projects would only be possible once Western sanctions against Moscow were
lifted.
Russia also participates with the West on the International
Space Station, the largest artificial object in space.
The ESA said in May it does not expect Russia to terminate
joint operation of the station.