EU has no plans for a chief negotiator for peace talks with Russia yet – media
Kyiv • UNN
Kaja Kallas and EU member states consider the appointment of a negotiator premature. The bloc is preparing its 21st sanctions package and focusing on strategy rather than personalities.
The European Union does not yet plan to appoint a chief negotiator for potential peace talks with Russia regarding the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, dpa reports, citing high-ranking EU officials and diplomats, according to UNN.
Details
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and key member states, including Germany, do not consider such a move useful at this stage, officials told dpa on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cyprus.
According to officials, the bloc first wants to focus on strategy rather than personalities, specifically on which issues the EU should discuss with Russia and how it can support diplomatic efforts to end Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, preparations for additional sanctions against Russia are expected to continue, with EU representatives stating they do not believe Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is ready for negotiations.
According to information obtained by dpa, the European Commission and the EU diplomatic service are expected to present proposals for the 21st package of sanctions against Russia to member states on Thursday, targeting the financial sector and suppliers to the arms industry.
Debates have recently intensified in European capitals over whether the EU should appoint a representative for potential talks with Moscow. The names of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and former European Central Bank head Mario Draghi were reportedly mentioned in the discussions.
Putin also publicly suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, although both the German government and EU representatives rejected the idea. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that only Europeans will decide who speaks on their behalf.