Europe searches for a negotiator with Putin, fearing a U.S. deal struck behind its back

Against the backdrop of a new round of negotiations over Ukraine, European countries are discussing who could conduct direct talks with Moscow on Europe’s behalf.

Politico reports this.

The main fear among European capitals is that U.S. President Donald Trump will reach a deal with Russia without their involvement. It is precisely this concern that has pushed European leaders to search for their own negotiator with Putin.

Czech President Petr Pavel spelled out the essence of the problem directly:

“Putin does not regard the European Union as an authority. He does not want to talk to Ursula von der Leyen, he does not talk to Kaja Kallas. He has also stopped talking to other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron,” Pavel said.

He proposed selecting one or several European leaders and empowering them to conduct negotiations with Russia.

According to Politico, Finnish President Alexander Stubb has emerged as one of the leading candidates for this role. Points in his favor include good relations with Trump, as well as Finland’s “extensive experience of engagement with Russia.”

The candidacy of European Council President António Costa is also being discussed in parallel. Last week, European leaders had already asked him whether it was time to begin talks with Putin, but he declined the role of negotiator. One diplomat considers Costa a more suitable candidate than von der Leyen or Kallas, assessing that the two are too closely associated with the Ukrainian side.

“If we want to play a role in the negotiations, Costa needs to start talking to Putin. By refusing dialogue, we are playing into the hands of our adversaries,” the diplomat said.

The topic of Europe’s negotiations with Russia has periodically flared up throughout the year. Within the EU, discussions about who could initiate a dialogue with Putin on Brussels’ behalf have recurred repeatedly, but so far the matter has not progressed beyond talk.