Europe Weighs Negotiator for Talks with Putin

European governments are increasingly realizing that they may soon need to choose a candidate who would hold direct negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on a Ukraine peace agreement. Politico writes about this.

According to the outlet, the main problem is who should be given such a risky task. The issue became especially relevant after US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Russia and offered Putin a trilateral meeting with Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Czech President Petr Pavel said Putin does not see the EU as an influential force and does not want dialogue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. In Pavel's view, Europe should determine a person or group of people who will be given the mandate to lead negotiations.

The article notes that "in recent days, Trump has alarmed Ukraine and its European allies by speaking directly with Putin over their heads; moreover, he increasingly shows willingness to take the Russian side". According to Politico, this has once again revived discussion in Brussels and beyond that Europe needs its own channel of direct communication with the Kremlin. It is necessary for protecting the region's interests and strengthening Ukraine's ability to resist an unfavorable, unequal agreement.

So far there is no agreement on who should represent Europe. Possible candidates named include Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Finnish President Alexander Stubb also attracts attention, who, according to European diplomats' assessments, has a good relationship with Trump and long experience of dealing with Russia.

According to one diplomat, the main factor in choosing a representative should be his effectiveness in negotiations, not personal political ambitions. The same diplomat said: "Stubb is an interesting candidate, because Finland has experience of relations with Russia and a traditional practice of dialogue with it. Our side understands better than others what is needed to feel safe in such a situation".

According to a second EU diplomat, Stubb is "so far the only person who has expressed readiness to show high-level political leadership" and could potentially play Europe's representative role at a future peace summit.

On Tuesday, Stubb was in Norway together with Zelensky and Witkoff and took part in negotiations.