It is not up to Putin to choose, and "someone who does not need a Nobel Peace Prize" is required – EU comments on an envoy for negotiations with Russia
Kyiv • UNN
EU ministers in Cyprus rejected Russia's attempts to choose a negotiator from Europe. Kaja Kallas emphasized that the bloc will present a united front in the negotiations.
Russia will not be granted the right to choose who will represent Europe in any potential negotiations with Moscow regarding the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, and the bloc will present a united front, European Union foreign ministers stated on Thursday at a meeting in Cyprus, UNN reports, citing Reuters.
Details
Foreign ministers are gathering informally to discuss their strategy as Ukraine pushes for greater European involvement to help end the war, which has lasted over four years, while the United States is focused on its conflict with Iran.
Earlier this month, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin suggested that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who has called the Russian leader a personal friend, could represent Europe in possible negotiations.
European governments rejected this proposal, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reiterated this position on Thursday.
"I think it's a trap that Russia wants us to fall into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they already choose who is suitable and who is not," Kallas said.
"Let's not fall into this trap. Negotiations are always a team effort," she said. "That's why the substance is much more important than the 'who'."
"This is really a place to discuss with foreign ministers the core interests, the core demands that we also have for Russia, because once we sit down at the negotiating table, it must also be very clear what we are doing there," Kallas said.
The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that Putin is open to negotiations with Europe, as reported by Russian media.
"Europe will determine the name of the negotiator, not Mr. Putin," said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani upon arriving at the ministerial meeting.
"It is not Putin's decision, it is our decision," he added.
Despite a flurry of speculation about whether the EU will appoint an envoy for any negotiations, some ministers stated that the discussion is premature.
"Now is not the time to discuss who will conduct the negotiations," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys told reporters in Cyprus.
"But we must discuss what we are doing to exert additional pressure on Russia, as well as provide more systems to Ukraine so that Ukraine can withstand these attacks and lead it to victory," he added.
Meanwhile, according to The Guardian, Austrian Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated that this is a necessary step because "the EU must not be unprepared." Meinl-Reisinger said she would "push for the European Union to position itself, have the ability to negotiate beyond its own interests, and appoint a chief negotiator."
Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister, as reported by The Guardian, said that "there are so many good people" who could take on this job, and "it is important that it is not just... someone who is a neighbor of Russia," but someone who should be a bit more detached from the conflict.
"Perhaps a triad of three people – heads of state, a foreign minister, former prime ministers? Perhaps former politicians are less afraid of the results? We need to find someone who doesn't need a Nobel Peace Prize," he joked.
Diplomats told Reuters ahead of Thursday's meeting that "no decisions are expected in Cyprus, and there is no consensus on European preconditions or demands for Moscow." Some officials also stated that, "in their opinion, it is still too early to discuss the issue of an envoy,"
Many ministers emphasized the need for Europe to find a common position on how to approach possible future negotiations.
"What is more important than just talking about a special envoy (...) is that it must be a single voice," Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told reporters.
Some ministers expressed openness to Europe appointing an envoy in the future.
"Europe must be at the negotiating table in any case; it cannot be with 27 member states, and Europe is larger than the EU itself, but I am sure that together we can not only agree on a mandate but perhaps also on some people who could take on this role," Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told reporters.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said: "I think we should discuss the content of a potential negotiation process, what project the EU can offer at the negotiating table. And we must also identify someone who will also embody the European message."
Asked if she would like to take on the role of European negotiator, Kallas replied that her job is to represent the bloc.
"I am the High Representative of the European Union, and you can see my job responsibilities in the treaties – and, of course, that includes representing Europe. But for that, we need to be united," Kallas said.