Politico has named three potential candidates to lead the EU’s peace talks with Russia
This is according to Politico.
The publication writes that, against the backdrop of the US shifting its focus towards Iran, pressure on Europe to identify a candidate for the role of negotiator is mounting, particularly given that “both Kyiv and Moscow say they are open to this”. At the same time, the question of who exactly will be able to talk to the Kremlin remains open.
Politico notes that Vladimir Putin’s proposal regarding Gerhard Schröder was rejected, and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga joked that, given such success, Putin might as well nominate “Russia’s friends Steven Seagal or Gérard Depardieu”.
“At the same time, both Kyiv and Moscow seem to agree that Europe needs to choose a specific individual, rather than an entire committee,” the article states.
The publication names the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, as the most obvious candidate, having long opposed direct negotiations with Russia. And although she recently hinted that she might take on this role, European diplomats believe that Russia will be categorically opposed to her candidacy.
According to Politico, discussions are currently underway regarding three candidates: former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
The publication notes that Merkel has previously held talks with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though without success. Stubb has experience in mediation and has previously expressed interest in the role of mediator, but the fact that his country has become a member of NATO may prevent Moscow from agreeing to his candidacy.
As for Draghi, the publication writes that he is highly respected in Europe and has made neither overly harsh nor overly lenient comments regarding the Kremlin. At the same time, there has been no information so far that Draghi would like to hold talks with Russia.
As a reminder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Russia is attempting to drag Belarus into the war and may be preparing new aggressive actions from its territory
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