Deep divisions have emerged within the European Union over the advisability of appointing a special European envoy to conduct peace talks with moscow. Politico reports this, citing its own sources.
Calls to appoint a specific individual for direct contact with the kremlin are growing louder as the United States gradually steps back from its role as a key mediator between Ukraine and russia. At the same time, a number of EU member states that are the most active supporters of Ukraine are categorically opposed to this idea. They are convinced that vladimir putin has no serious intentions regarding a ceasefire, and that such a move could significantly weaken the pressure of sanctions on russia.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague, urged Europe to exercise caution. He emphasized that the EU should not rush into negotiations and give the impression that European countries are pressuring Ukraine to make compromises. This position was supported by the foreign ministers of Estonia and Lithuania, who called calls for negotiations a potential trap set by putin to buy time and extract concessions.
The foreign ministers of EU member states plan to discuss the issue of direct engagement with russia in detail at an informal meeting later this week. It is known that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas is also extremely skeptical of the initiative.
Despite serious disagreements, supporters of the idea of direct negotiations are already putting forward potential candidates for the role of special envoy. Among the possible figures, in addition to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former ECB President Mario Draghi and current Finnish President Alexander Stubb, are European Council President António Costa, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, and former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Alexander Stubb has already confirmed his interest in the position, but noted that he would accept the appointment only with the mutual consent of EU leaders and exclusively after a lasting and firm ceasefire is achieved on the front lines.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in April of this year, the Financial Times wrote that France and Germany had called for granting Ukraine “symbolic” EU membership, which would allow Kyiv to attend bloc meetings but would leave it without voting rights or access to the budget.
As a reminder, according to Politico, three European Union countries have opposed Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU.
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