European governments are pressuring the EU to appoint a negotiator to represent their interests regarding Ukraine. They fear that the US will make a deal with Russia behind their backs.
European governments are pressuring the EU to appoint a negotiator to represent their interests regarding Ukraine, fearing that the United States will strike a deal with Russia behind their backs, Politico reports, writes UNN.
Details
Proponents of the plan, including France and Italy, have garnered support from the European Commission and several other countries for the position, according to three diplomats and officials directly familiar with the negotiations.
They say Europe can uphold its "red lines, such as Ukraine's potential future NATO membership, only if the EU has a seat at the negotiating table.
This unprecedented move would mark a significant shift in how Europe engages in a series of bilateral negotiations orchestrated by US President Donald Trump, and comes as the continent seeks to demonstrate its willingness to play a vital role in any settlement that ends the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have joined forces in recent weeks to call for opening diplomatic channels to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, the publication writes.
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"Macron has been arguing in recent days that, given the bilateral talks between the Americans and the Russians, it is important to play at least some role in the discussion," a senior French official said. "Meloni was very supportive of this… that they are not naive about what can be achieved as a result of these talks, but, given the balance between absence and engagement, there is a growing awareness [of the benefits of engagement] in some capitals."
Serious disagreements remain regarding the details of this position. Critics say that appointing a negotiator would imply that Russia is ready to negotiate in good faith and agree to something other than the complete subjugation of Ukraine, the publication writes. Trump's attempts to strike a deal have so far failed, as the Kremlin refuses to back down from its demand that Ukraine cede parts of the territory that Russian forces have failed to conquer, the publication notes.
Discussions are ongoing in Brussels regarding the bloc's contribution to any negotiations and how they can be used to ensure that Trump does not ignore its concerns.
"There are some issues that cannot be discussed [only] with the US when they have direct implications for our security as Europeans," the official said. "The message to Washington is as important as the [message] to Moscow."
European leaders first discussed the idea of a special envoy at an EU summit last March, a senior EU official confirmed. Despite broad support, no decision was made, and the proposals were excluded from a subsequent joint statement.
This role would be narrowly focused on representing Brussels in negotiations alongside Kyiv – a very different proposition than Meloni's proposal for a mediator for Moscow.
"Countries that supported an envoy for Ukraine may not support an envoy to talk to Russia," the official said.
Officials also noted that key aspects of the job, such as whether he would represent only the EU or an entire "coalition of the willing," including the UK and others, have yet to be worked out. The same applies to diplomatic rank, and whether to formally appoint a bureaucrat or informally delegate the role to a sitting national leader.
Italian government minister Giovanbattista Fazzolari – an influential ally of Meloni whose Ukrainian wife is credited with supporting Kyiv in Rome's ruling coalition – said last weekend that former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi should be offered the position of special envoy.
Meanwhile, four other diplomats noted that Finnish President Alexander Stubb is often seen as a potential representative for Europe in any negotiations with Washington and Moscow. The centrist veteran diplomat has forged a friendly relationship with Trump through golf, while his country borders Russia and has been the target of hybrid campaigns by the Kremlin.
According to one of them, relying on a "sitting leader" means they can be "a little freer with their words." However, "the other question is to figure out exactly when it's worth talking to Putin. Is there a risk that if you do, you also legitimize his positions in some way?"
Two EU officials stressed that the position of special envoy does not exist, and that any talk of candidates is premature. However, a third noted: "None of these positions exist until they do."
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