European Union foreign ministers at an informal meeting in the Gymnich format in Cyprus have expressed their vision of the idea of appointing a special European representative for possible negotiations with Russia on ending the war against Ukraine and the EU’s common position on this issue. Most of them agreed that the most important thing now is not the name of a potential negotiator, but Europe’s common position and increased pressure on Moscow, Radio Liberty’s correspondent reported.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the EU should decide on a common position, as sooner or later it would still be involved in any agreement.
“It is impossible to sign an agreement without Europe. Secretary of State Rubio has also said in many meetings that Europe will be involved at the end of the negotiations because we will need to sign an agreement. If we want to lift European sanctions, the Europeans have to be at the negotiating table,” Tajani said.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said a special envoy may not be necessary if the EU can ensure a united voice:
“One voice is more important than one person.”
At the same time, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger explicitly favoured the appointment of a chief EU negotiator. According to her, Europe must be prepared to defend its own security interests.
“Either we will sit at the table and there talk also about European and Austrian interests together with us, or others will do it without us,” she said.
Baltic foreign ministers also urged not to rush to discuss specific candidates.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the most important thing now was not finding a negotiator, but strengthening sanctions and support for Ukraine.
“This is a trap into which Putin wants to drag Europe,” he said, commenting on discussions about a possible EU representative.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys expressed a similar opinion.
“This is not the time when we are discussing who exactly will lead the negotiations. We are not discussing names. We are not discussing a seat at the negotiating table,” he said.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Europe should be represented at the possible talks because “27 member states cannot sit at the table at the same time.”
“I am sure that we can all agree not only on one mandate, but on several people who can take on this role,” she said.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévost said the European Union should capitalise on the USA decision to suspend its involvement in the Ukraine-Russia talks to finally get a seat at the table.
Discussions about a possible European representative intensified after a number of European politicians and media started discussing potential candidates for the role of special envoy for talks with Russia. Among the names mentioned in the press were Finnish President Alexander Stubb, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.