Italy's PM to propose EU envoy candidate for negotiations on Russia's war against Ukraine

Mariya Yemets, VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 17 June, 18:23

Giorgia Meloni. Photo: Getty Images

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to propose a candidate for an EU envoy on Russia's war against Ukraine at the upcoming European Union summit.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Guardian

Details: In comments to the media, Meloni said that during the G7 leaders' meeting, leaders "reached an agreement" with US President Donald Trump on issues surrounding Ukraine, noting that this "cannot always be taken for granted".

Meloni also stated that at this week's EU summit in Brussels she will propose a candidate for the role of EU negotiator in the peace process concerning Russia's war against Ukraine.

She said the envoy should be a representative of a "medium-sized country", rather than one of the EU's largest member states.

The summit is scheduled for 18-19 June.

Background:

Earlier media reports suggested that the EU was considering former German chancellor Angela Merkel, former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as potential EU envoys. However, Stubb recently said he does not see himself in such a role, suggesting it should instead be assigned to one of Europe's key national leaders.
The Kremlin has indicated it would support former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder for the role.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas previously stressed that in discussions on the candidacy of an EU negotiator, the EU must not fall into a Russian trap whereby Moscow promotes the most convenient candidate for itself.
Negotiations on the EU envoy and the preparation of European security guarantees continue in coordination between the E3 – the UK, France and Germany – and the president of Ukraine.

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