European governments are discussing the appointment of a joint representative for possible direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine, Politico has reported. The publication names Finnish President Alexander Stubb and European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa among the candidates. The EU is keen to be represented in the diplomatic process, which is largely coordinated by the US.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Politico, Alexander Stubb<\/strong> is one of the most promising candidates. His close personal ties with the US President Donald Trump<\/strong> can help to reconcile positions Washington<\/a> and European capitals.<\/p>\n Another argument cited by the publication\u2019s interviewees is Finland\u2019s experience in its relations with Russia. The two countries share a border approximately 1,300 kilometres long, and Finnish diplomats have experience in assessing the security risks associated with Moscow.<\/p>\n On 20 October, Stubbs took part in consultations in Oslo alongside the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/strong>, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gar St\u00f8re<\/strong> and US representatives. One of the diplomats told Politico that the Finnish president had already demonstrated his willingness to get involved in high-level initiatives.<\/p>\n Another possible candidate is the President of the European Council Ant\u00f3nio Costa<\/strong>. At the EU summit in Brussels last week, leaders discussed whether the EU should establish direct contact with Putin<\/strong>, but Koshta has for the time being decided against taking such a step, according to one of Politico\u2019s sources.<\/p>\n Some diplomats consider Kosht to be a more suitable mediator than the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen<\/strong> or the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaj Kallas<\/strong>. According to their estimates, in Kremlin<\/a> Von der Leyen and Callas may be perceived as more closely associated with support for Ukraine, whilst Costa might appear relatively neutral. These are the assessments of the publication\u2019s sources, not the official position of the European Union.<\/p>\n President of the Czech Republic Peter Paul<\/strong> stated that the European Union should appoint a representative or a group of leaders who could conduct negotiations on behalf of European countries. In his view, it is not necessary to choose the head of one of the EU institutions for this purpose: the relevant powers could be granted to an individual European leader.<\/p>\n There is no consensus on the model of representation. Some diplomats insist that the European Union itself should be at the negotiating table, rather than just influential states such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n European governments fear that any potential agreements between Washington and Moscow may not take sufficient account of the security interests of Ukraine and Europe. This is precisely why there is growing discussion about a separate channel for European representation.<\/p>\n Representatives from the EU and NATO also took part in the consultations in Oslo. The European Commission was represented by the Head of Cabinet Ursula von der Leyen, Bj\u00f6rn Seibert<\/strong>, \u0430 Jared Kushner<\/strong> joined the meeting remotely.<\/p>\n Spokesperson for the European Commission Paula Pinho<\/strong> On 21 October, she confirmed that the parties had discussed territorial issues, security guarantees and Ukraine\u2019s post-war reconstruction. One of the objectives was to explore the possibility of moving to a trilateral or broader format involving Ukraine and Russia.<\/p>\n Brussels emphasised that the EU is already taking part in the preparatory consultations and is able to put forward its own position.<\/p>\n\n
Stubba is being considered because of his links with the US and his experience in Finland<\/h2>\n
Koshta has declined direct contact, but he is being considered<\/h2>\n
European capitals have not agreed on the format of representation<\/h2>\n
Discussions took place in Oslo on a possible broader format for the talks<\/h2>\n
Following Witkoff\u2019s meeting with Putin, contacts are continuing<\/h2>\n