EU seeks candidates to serve as negotiator with Russia

The EU is discussing whether former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi or former German Chancellor Angela Merkel could represent them in potential negotiations with Putin, according to the Financial Times.

In addition to Draghi and Merkel, governments of other countries have proposed Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his predecessor Sauli Niinistö as potential candidates.

The discussions in Cyprus will take place after Washington and Kyiv expressed support for Europe establishing a dialogue with the Russian leader regarding the war in Ukraine, sources familiar with the discussions said.

The Donald Trump administration, which is currently preoccupied with the war in the Middle East, has informed its EU counterparts that it has no objection to Europe negotiating with Putin in parallel with U.S.-led peace talks.

“The U.S. knows this isn’t working,” one of them said, referring to existing efforts to end the conflict.

Discussions on this issue between capitals are taking place at various levels, a source familiar with the talks said, and there is a possibility of formal discussions among EU leaders at the summit in June.

A Ukrainian official noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would like the European side in negotiations with Russia to be led by someone like Draghi or a strong, active (head of state).

Zelenskyy will discuss this issue with the leaders of France, Germany, and the UK later this week.

Draghi is considered a reliable figure and is respected throughout the EU, and his technocratic experience could be well-suited to this situation.

One European official noted that while Niinistö is one of the few Europeans who has a working relationship with Putin, the Russians are currently very unhappy with Finland.

“I think it should be someone from countries like the Netherlands or Portugal, which don’t have the same baggage as the countries in the east,” he added.

At the meeting, EU foreign ministers will also discuss what Europe will demand in post-conflict relations with Russia, what their red lines are regarding a potential settlement in Ukraine, and what their conditions will be for initiating any negotiations with the Kremlin.

Some governments are concerned about the discussion itself and fear that it will only highlight divisions within the EU regarding Ukraine and Russia.

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine.