There are considerable differences within the European Union over the correct way to handle invitations to the ceremony marking the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fifth term in office. As several EU diplomats told dpa in Brussels on Monday, countries such as France, Hungary and Slovakia want to send representatives to Putin’s swearing-in ceremony in order to keep channels of dialogue open. However, Germany and numerous other EU states consider participation to be inappropriate, particularly in view of Russia’s war against Ukraine. “Germany will not be attending this event,” a spok…