Europe Seeks Its Own Negotiator with Moscow
World
Concerns are growing within the European Union that key decisions on Ukraine could be made without Brussels’ involvement.
Several EU member states, including France and Italy, are calling for the appointment of an official EU special envoy to take part in negotiations with Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Politico reports, citing European officials.
According to the sources, the push reflects fears in Brussels that the United States could strike a deal with Moscow without considering the EU’s position. The proposed negotiator would be tasked with defending the EU’s “red lines,” including Ukraine’s right to potentially join NATO in the future.
A senior EU official, speaking anonymously, noted that special envoys are usually appointed from the European External Action Service. However, their level is seen as insufficient for direct engagement with the Kremlin.
Sources cited by Politico suggest that the role could be assumed either by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen or Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The initiative is viewed as an effort to strengthen the EU’s political weight in any future peace talks.
According to the sources, the push reflects fears in Brussels that the United States could strike a deal with Moscow without considering the EU’s position. The proposed negotiator would be tasked with defending the EU’s “red lines,” including Ukraine’s right to potentially join NATO in the future.
A senior EU official, speaking anonymously, noted that special envoys are usually appointed from the European External Action Service. However, their level is seen as insufficient for direct engagement with the Kremlin.
Sources cited by Politico suggest that the role could be assumed either by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen or Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The initiative is viewed as an effort to strengthen the EU’s political weight in any future peace talks.
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