The Telegraph names five candidates for role of negotiators with Russia on ending war in Ukraine

British newspaper The Telegraph, citing diplomatic sources, has reported that Europe is screening potential negotiators to face off with Russia in talks to end the war in Ukraine. Five candidates, all of whom are presidents or prime ministers of European countries, are currently being considered.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Telegraph

Details: The newspaper's sources indicate that approaches have been made to potential candidates for the role.

In particular, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Czech President Petr Pavel are all under consideration for the position, as are Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

"What Europe has learned is that there first needs to be a consensus that we need to negotiate with the Russians. Secondly, there needs to be a consensus on what that position is," a source familiar with the discussions noted.

Over the past few weeks, during which the US president has been accused of putting pressure on Kyiv to force it to make concessions in peace talks, calls have intensified for Europe to establish its own negotiating team. Previous attempts to agree on a single leader who could garner the support of the continent's capitals have failed.

A source familiar with the discussions noted that it was more likely that a group of leaders would be selected, which would avoid a contest between countries for the role, as well as the risk of individual candidates being vetoed.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has become a constant figure in Europe's efforts to support Ukraine through the negotiating phase. He has strong ties with Trump and was recently in Oslo for talks between the Ukrainian president and US representatives.

There is also discussion that Czech President Petr Pavel has a suitable profile for this role because of his background as a NATO commander with experience in military negotiations with the Russians.

Background:

• Politico earlier reported that the issue of finding a European representative had became particularly relevant this week after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff visited Russia.
• At the talks in Oslo this week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that the negotiation process was back on track.
• After talks with Vladimir Putin in Russia and before returning to the US, Witkoff held a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

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