Politics International Relations
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According to European officials, the EU is looking for a negotiator with Russia on Ukraine

European governments are discussing who will speak to Moscow on behalf of the European Union. Finnish President Alexander Stubb is named among the possible candidates.

Alexander Stubb, António Costa and Vladimir Putin — According to European officials, the EU is looking for a negotiator with Russia on Ukraine
In the illustration: Alexander Stubb, António Costa and Vladimir Putin

In Europe, the candidacy of a negotiator for talks with Russia on settling the conflict in Ukraine is under discussion. This is reported with reference to European officials.

The information was published by Politico on 21 October: according to it, there are plans to appoint a single mediator. European governments are discussing who will represent the European Union in possible negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb is named as one possible candidate. In his favour, these reports note, are his personal acquaintance with US President Donald Trump and his experience of dealing with Russia, with which Finland shares a border 1300 km long.

The issue became pressing after the visit to Russia of US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff. On 20 October in Oslo he met a Ukrainian delegation. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Norway, the President of Finland and the US leader's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Witkoff then travelled to Saint Petersburg, where on 21 October he held talks with Putin on the Ukrainian settlement. The meeting lasted about three hours.

The main question is who exactly to choose. The European Union has to decide on a person or group of people authorised to speak on behalf of Europe.

One of the European diplomats cited in these reports said: "We can't turn up with a group of two or three people, each of whom will speak on behalf of the EU." It is not yet known when the European Union will announce a decision.

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