«First, we need to agree on what exactly we want to talk about with Russia,» explained one EU official.
Photo: Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
The European Union will not yet appoint its representative for possible negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. DPA agency reported this on Thursday, citing high-ranking EU officials.
According to them, the appointment of a specific negotiator is currently considered inappropriate by both the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and leading EU countries, including Germany.
«First, we need to agree on what exactly we want to talk about with Russia,» one of the EU officials explained to the agency.
Brussels is convinced that sanctions pressure will help bring President Putin to the negotiating table. The European Commission and the European External Action Service will present the draft 21st package of sanctions against Russia at closed consultations on May 28. It is expected to affect the financial sector and suppliers to the Russian defense industry.
In the European Union and European states, there has been active discussion recently about whether the EU should appoint a special representative for possible negotiations with Russia. Among the candidates for this role mentioned were former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and also Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Vladimir Putin stated that he would like to see former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a negotiator from the EU. However, both the current German government and EU representatives have excluded the 82-year-old politician, who is considered close to Putin, from the list of possible candidates, writes DW.
«We Europeans decide ourselves who speaks on our behalf. No one else,» stated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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