EU selects a single negotiator to end the war in Ukraine: candidates include Kallas, Merkel, and Draghi

Europe has come under increasing pressure due to the need to independently take on part of the negotiation process regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's administration increasingly focusing on the crisis surrounding Iran, the EU has begun actively discussing the possibility of appointing a separate special representative for peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. This was reported by Politico, according to UNN.

Details

According to the publication, both Ukraine and Russia allegedly agree that Europe should have a single representative at the negotiations, rather than acting through "collective formats" or groups of diplomats.

The EU has begun talking about its own "peace negotiator"

Politico notes that the issue of a separate European negotiator became particularly relevant after the US effectively shifted a significant portion of its diplomatic resources to the Middle East and the crisis surrounding Iran.

Initially, Washington began to gradually wind down financial support for Ukraine. Now, Europe will likely have to take on a leading role in the negotiations as well

At the same time, the main question is who exactly can represent Europe in potential negotiations.

Kallas, Merkel, Stubb, and Draghi - who is being discussed in Europe

Politico names the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as one of the most obvious candidates. She previously spoke out categorically against any direct negotiations with Russia; however, recently she has admitted the possibility of creating a separate negotiation format.

Last week, Kallas even hinted at her own readiness for such a role.

"I think I would be able to see the traps that Russia is trying to set,"

However, three European diplomats told Politico that Kallas's tough anti-Russian stance is almost guaranteed to provoke a negative reaction from the Kremlin.

Among other possible candidates, the publication names:

• former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has experience negotiating with Putin and Zelenskyy, but is simultaneously associated with failed attempts at previous settlements;
• President of Finland Alexander Stubb, who has a reputation as a strong diplomat, though Finland's NATO membership could be an issue for Moscow;
• former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is considered a compromise figure without an overtly pro-Russian or overly tough stance.

Kyiv mocked Putin's idea regarding Schröder

Politico also writes that Vladimir Putin's proposal regarding the candidacy of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was immediately rejected.

According to the publication, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joked that Russia might as well suggest "pro-Russian actors" Steven Seagal or Gérard Depardieu.

The EU may bet on a neutral country

According to Politico, some interlocutors in Kyiv believe that the future negotiator should have the support of the European Union but not represent the EU itself directly, as Putin "deeply distrusts" the bloc.

In this context, the candidacies of Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide or Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who maintains contacts with both the West and Russia, are being discussed.

The main problem is not Moscow, but Europe itself

Politico concludes that the main obstacle to the emergence of a single European negotiator may not be the position of Russia or Ukraine, but the inability of European states themselves to agree among themselves.

"The biggest problem in choosing a negotiator is not Putin or Zelenskyy, but the inability of Europeans to reach internal agreement,"

As a reminder

Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Friedrich Merz stated that Russian attacks against Ukraine contradict their statements about peace. He also criticized calls to involve former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in peace negotiations.