Europe Seeks Negotiator for Ukraine, but It's Difficult: 'Threats Risk Becoming Irrelevant'
Who oh who should speak on behalf of Europe about ending the war in Ukraine? This question is becoming increasingly urgent as the continent tries to secure a place at the negotiating table alongside the Americans, Ukrainians, and Russians. President Zelensky is also pressing: it must become clear this month who will represent Europe.
The issue is once again on the agenda during a summit in Dublin. Besides many European leaders, Ukrainian President Zelensky and NATO chief Mark Rutte are also in the Irish capital today. Prime Minister Jetten is absent; he must manage a coalition crisis in his own country.
Europe Stands on the Sidelines
The other leaders are being updated on the talks of recent days in Abu Dhabi. Later today, US negotiators Witkoff and Kushner will come to Ireland. They will first travel to Moscow to speak with Putin. Afterwards, they will proceed to report to Zelensky.
The role of the Europeans remains unclear. The future of Ukraine is also about our future, European leaders emphasize repeatedly, and therefore we must be involved. They fear that the Americans and Russians will make disadvantageous agreements over their heads—without European input.
In recent days, various European countries and EU and NATO representatives stood on the sidelines in Abu Dhabi. They did speak separately with Ukraine and America, but were not allowed to join the 'real' talks with Russia because that country refused to receive the Europeans.
Not Giving an Inch
Moscow seems unwilling to give an inch in the talks. During the discussions in the United Arab Emirates, Russia continued attacking Ukraine, including hitting energy infrastructure, leaving Ukrainians without electricity.
The Europeans do not believe Moscow is negotiating seriously, yet they want to be directly involved. But they have not been able to determine who should speak on their behalf or what the strategy should be. The differences among them are large, as was recently evident when Finnish President Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre spoke for an hour and a half with Russian President Putin in an attempt to engage directly with neighboring Russia.
"Not Befriending a Dictator"
Their initiative was coordinated with Ukraine but still led to mixed European reactions. Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen was critical. "I think we need to keep Europe united instead of acting individually," she said.
According to her Swedish colleague, peace must be achieved through 'strength' rather than 'reconciliation politics.' The Estonian Prime Minister put it even more strongly: Europe should not mediate at all, he said in an interview with Politico. "You should not try to befriend the dictator."
Several countries, including the Netherlands, are more positive and appreciate the Finnish-Norwegian effort to end the war in Ukraine.
Irrelevant
In May, the discussion about a European negotiator also flared up but did not lead to results. Half a year later, the countries have not come closer together. To the annoyance of, among others, Italian Prime Minister Meloni.
She put the topic on the agenda for the European summit in Dublin. Now there are too many European initiatives overlapping, says Meloni, who fears it undermines European credibility. Therefore, someone must be appointed. "Otherwise, we risk Europe becoming irrelevant in the negotiation process."
According to the Italian Prime Minister, the lack of a clear European position and a European negotiator primarily serves the interests of those who want to continue this war.
Increasing Pressure
Meloni refers to the Russians who are all too eager to emphasize that Europe is divided. The Americans also see their view of Europe confirmed in the difficult search for a European negotiator. "It would be a greater achievement if Europe can appoint one person to speak on their behalf than convincing the Russians to include them in the negotiations," sneered Trump's son-in-law Kushner.
He says he will discuss possible European participation in today's talks with Putin and hopes for the 'blessing' of the Russian president. But even if that comes, no one in Dublin expects a major breakthrough in talks to end the war in Ukraine. According to Zelensky, that will depend on the extent to which the Americans increase pressure on Russia. European leaders are not optimistic about that.