Europe also wants its own special representative for negotiations with Russia on Ukraine
Discussions about creating this position are ongoing among EU countries, which seek to have a representative for dialogue with Moscow. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi is also mentioned as a contender for this role, according to sources from Politico.
At the same time, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are raising the issue of the necessity of dialogue with Russia.
Sources in the European Union report that the discussion of appointing a special representative has become relevant again. There are concerns within the EU that without participation in negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, the bloc will not be able to defend its interests, especially against the backdrop of the active diplomatic stance of the United States under Donald Trump.
“Macron actively emphasizes that in light of the bilateral negotiations between Russia and the U.S., it is important for Europe to have some influence on the discussions. Meloni supports this initiative, recognizing the significance of participating in such negotiations. In national capitals, there is a growing awareness of the need to choose between participation and inaction,” noted an unnamed French official.
However, many aspects of this initiative remain uncertain: what status the special representative will have, who they will report to, whether it will be a formal or informal position, and whether they will represent the European Union or a "coalition of the willing."
In Italy, there is a proposal to appoint Mario Draghi to this position, while the EU is considering Alexander Stubb as a possible candidate. One of the advantages of appointing the current president is his relative freedom in expressing opinions, as well as his established friendly relations with Donald Trump through their shared golf games.
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