Zelenskyy: Ukraine will decide who represents EU in talks with Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will have the final say in approving the EU's representative for negotiations with Russia on ending the war.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with TSN, a Ukrainian daily news programme

Quote: "They [the Europeans] will decide on the format and ultimately Ukraine will determine who represents Europe in the negotiations. They will propose several options."

Details: Zelenskyy said the issue of negotiations with Russia was discussed during this week's meeting of the European Council.

"The discussion on Ukraine was the longest in all the years of the European Council. Our conversation lasted two hours – the entire non-public part. We discussed everything and were very open. Starting with Europe's role in dialogue with the Russians and how it should work... We discussed what will happen if we fail to bring Putin to the negotiating table now and which countries will be under threat," he said, adding that "everyone was pleased" with the meeting.

The president also said there is a chance that another five negotiating clusters in Ukraine's EU accession process could be opened by the end of July.

"As for the remaining clusters, we have done everything required. I do not believe we will fail to open them in July. The only thing that could prevent this would be political considerations... There is a chance of opening another five clusters between mid and late July, provided there is no purely political blockage," Zelenskyy said.

Previously: European Pravda reported that hopes held by Ukraine and its supporters within the EU, including among member states, for the swift opening of negotiating clusters had not been confirmed by the EU summit's decision.

Background:

• Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he does not see himself as a negotiator in any potential talks with Russia.
• According to media reports, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are developing a plan aimed at bringing Vladimir Putin into negotiations.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni backed the idea of appointing a single EU representative for negotiations with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine.

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