Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – European leaders are examining potential negotiators to engage Vladimir Putin in talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Diplomatic sources told the Telegraph that contacts have been made with potential candidates for the role. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Czech President Petr Pavel have all been put forward for the position, as have Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
In recent weeks, there has been a growing sense of urgency across Europe to find representatives to join the peace talks, amid fears that Donald Trump no longer represents the continent's best interests.
“What Europe has learned is that there must first be a consensus that we need to negotiate with the Russians,” a source familiar with the discussions told the Telegraph.
"Second, there must be a consensus on what that position is." Europe's push to assume a greater role in negotiations between Kiev and Moscow was sparked by over a year of unsuccessful US mediation. Trump's attempts to broker a peace agreement have largely stalled due to Putin's refusal to abandon his maximalist territorial demands in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Steve Witkoff, the US presidential envoy, announced that trilateral talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia will resume next month.
However, the discussions will take place against the backdrop of the White House's decision to lift sanctions on Moscow and an agreement to import diesel fuel from Russia.
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