Europe weighs direct talks with Putin as Trump sidelines allies in Ukraine negotiations
Photo: Finnish President Alexander Stubb (Getty Images)
European governments are increasingly recognizing that they may soon need to nominate someone to hold direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine, according to Politico.
The main challenge, the report says, is deciding who should take on this “difficult and risky task.”
“President Putin disregards the European Union as an authority. He doesn’t want to talk to Ursula von der Leyen, he doesn’t talk to Kaja Kallas. He stopped talking to other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron,” Czech President Petr Pavel said.
He argued that the EU should “identify a person or a group of people who would speak for Europe.”
According to Pavel, they would not necessarily have to be EU or NATO officials. It would be enough to appoint leaders authorized by others to conduct negotiations.
In recent days, US President Donald Trump has raised concerns in Ukraine and among its European allies by opening talks with Putin without involving them.
Trump also appears to be increasingly leaning toward Russia’s side in a conflict that has lasted nearly five years.
This has reignited debate in Brussels and beyond over whether Europe needs its own direct line of communication with the Kremlin to protect the region’s interests and strengthen Ukraine’s ability to resist being forced into an unfavorable peace deal.
Who are the candidates
According to Politico, diplomats and officials have yet to agree on who would be best suited to represent Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has held direct talks with Trump on trade issues, while European Council President António Costa previously established a channel of communication with the Kremlin through his office.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is another prominent figure who could represent the interests of the entire European Union.
However, a diplomat from an EU member state said Brussels needed to recognize that any deal involving Putin and Trump would not be conducted according to the EU’s rules and protocols.
“We cannot show up with two or three people all speaking on behalf of the EU. The choice of who ends up representing the EU will be based on what would provide the most value, not personal power struggles or narcissistic preferences,” the diplomat said.
Stubb could become Europe’s negotiator
According to Politico, Finnish President Alexander Stubb has attracted particular attention among EU leaders because he operates outside the EU bureaucracy.
Two key factors work in his favor. First, he arguably has the strongest relationship with Trump of any EU national leader. Second, Finland has extensive experience dealing with Russia.
“Stubb is interesting precisely because of Finland’s experience and traditions of dialogue with Russia. In Europe, the Finns know better than anyone what it takes to ensure their own security under such circumstances,” a European diplomat explained.
Another EU diplomat said Stubb was “so far the only one who has shown a willingness” to take on high-level political leadership. He could represent Europe at a future peace summit.
Björn Seibert, von der Leyen’s closest aide, was also present at a meeting in Oslo.
A third European diplomat said it was crucial for the EU itself to be represented in the negotiations, rather than just a small group of influential countries such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
According to the diplomat, this means both Seibert and Pedro Lourtie, Costa’s chief aide, should be present during the preparatory stage of negotiations, while EU member states must receive timely updates on the process.
Is Costa ready to negotiate
According to another EU diplomat, European leaders asked Costa at last week’s summit in Brussels whether it was time for him to speak with Putin.
“Costa said, no, he’s not going to talk to Putin now. But Costa should start talking to Putin if we want to play a role in the negotiations. By not speaking, we are playing into the hands of our opponents,” the diplomat said.
The diplomat argued that Costa would be better suited to the task than von der Leyen or Kallas. Both are seen as too deeply involved in supporting Ukraine to effectively represent the EU’s interests at the leaders’ level.
“Costa comes across as more of an honest broker,” the diplomat concluded.
Peace negotiations
The United States has proposed holding a new trilateral meeting between American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators as soon as possible to discuss ending the war. Possible talks between the countries’ leaders are also under consideration.
According to media reports, Trump wants Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to sign a peace agreement at the G20 summit scheduled for December in Florida. The negotiations could involve pressure on Ukraine.
Moscow, meanwhile, has reportedly signaled that it is ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine and the United States.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said after meeting with Putin that conditions for a ceasefire were in place and brought relevant documents to Moscow.
At the same time, Ukraine, the United States and Europe held trilateral consultations in Norway, where they developed new peace initiatives.
