Politico: European officials discuss naming a negotiator to talk to Putin on Ukraine
In short
Politico reported that European officials are discussing appointing a representative to negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine. Czech President Petr Pavel said the EU should name a person or group to speak for Europe. No candidate has been chosen, according to the report.
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Politico reported that European officials are discussing the possibility of appointing a representative who would negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on settling the conflict in Ukraine, according to RBC. TASS, also citing Politico, said the officials understand the importance of direct contact with Putin but have not yet determined a candidate. [ 1 , 2 ]
Vedomosti relayed remarks by Czech President Petr Pavel as conveyed by Politico. Pavel said the EU must determine a person or group of people to speak for Europe in talks with Putin. According to him, they need not be representatives of the EU or NATO. He said: "These could simply be leaders to whom the others give a mandate to conduct negotiations." [ 3 ]
David Lidington, an honorary fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said that "as annoying as it may be", "some channel of communication with Putin would be useful". [ 3 ]
Vedomosti also listed recent contacts. On 21 October Putin received US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff at the Konstantinovsky Palace, and talks on a Ukraine settlement were part of the meeting. On 20 October Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the US president, held talks in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Norway and Finland. Citing Axios, Vedomosti said Kyiv put forward new ideas and proposals, which were examined in detail, and that the sides reached "substantial progress in agreeing a coordinated approach to dealing with Russia and advancing the diplomatic process". [ 3 ]
Dmitry Trenin, president of the Russian International Affairs Council, told Vedomosti that the set of conditions Witkoff may have brought does not suit Russia, if it is what Western media had reported earlier citing sources. Vedomosti linked this to a column by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, which said an alleged new peace plan for Ukraine provides, among other things, for freezing the conflict along the current line of contact. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The reports show European officials weighing how to take part in talks on Ukraine that, per Vedomosti, involve the United States, Ukraine and Russia. TASS headlined its report with the claim that officials in the EU fear being left out of the negotiations.
Key facts
- Politico reported that European officials are discussing the possibility of appointing a representative to negotiate directly with Putin on settling the conflict in Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Czech President Petr Pavel said the EU must determine a person or group to speak for Europe in talks with Putin. [ 3 ]
- Pavel said the negotiators need not be EU or NATO representatives and could be leaders given a mandate by the others. [ 3 ]
- Politico said European officials understand the importance of direct contact with Putin but have not settled on a candidate. [ 2 ]
- On 21 October Putin received US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff at the Konstantinovsky Palace, and Ukraine talks were part of the meeting. [ 3 ]
- On 20 October Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of Norway and Finland. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who might be the European negotiator. TASS, citing Politico, said the candidate has not yet been determined.
- What conditions Witkoff may have brought to Moscow. Dmitry Trenin told Vedomosti a set of conditions would not suit Russia if it matches Western media reports, including a Washington Post column that mentioned freezing the conflict along the current line of contact; the documents do not confirm what was offered.