EU puts off appointing negotiator for talks with Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
The European Union has decided not to appoint a representative for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine for now. The bloc wants to work out its strategy first, dpa reports.
The European Union does not want to appoint a negotiator yet
According to the agency, the issue was discussed during an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Cyprus.
According to European diplomats, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, as well as several key member states, including Germany, do not see the point in appointing a special negotiator at this stage.
The European Union says it first needs to define the bloc's position on potential talks with Moscow and determine how it can support diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
New sanctions against Russia are already being prepared
At the same time, Brussels does not believe in the sincerity of Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions to end the war.
That is why the European Union continues to work on new sanctions against Russia.
The European Commission is expected to present the 21st package of restrictions in the near future, which may affect Russia's financial sector and companies linked to the Russian defense industry.
Negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine
Recently, Politico wrote that European Union countries are divided over the idea of appointing a single negotiator with Russia: some consider it a trap, while others see it as a necessary step as the United States steps back from its role as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Countries that most actively support Ukraine oppose the idea of a negotiator.
They believe that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not serious about a ceasefire, and that appointing a negotiator could undermine sanctions pressure on Russia.
Among the possible candidates for the role of negotiator in European political circles are President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, and former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
The name of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also mentioned, but she made it clear that she does not consider herself a suitable candidate.
Putin himself publicly proposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. However, the idea was sharply criticized in Berlin and Brussels.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that only Europeans will decide who represents their interests.
Kaja Kallas also directly called Schroeder a well-known lobbyist for Russian companies.
