Europe’s Role in Ukraine-Russia Talks Unclear
The Economist suggests that Europe needs a single representative to mediate between European countries and other states in the Ukraine-Russia peace talks. This person would need to be able to handle photo opportunities with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, the presidents of Russia, the US and Ukraine, respectively.
Typically, European interests are represented by multiple people, but in this case, it’s impossible, according to The Economist. The Trump administration has already stated that it does not see Europeans as direct participants in the talks and Trump himself is unlikely to give Europe a seat at the table. Ukraine has urged the EU to appoint a representative, but no name has been mentioned, the magazine reports.
The Economist mentions that French President Emmanuel Macron could be a candidate for the role and calls him a potential “Mr. Europe.” Macron has maintained a good relationship with Trump and has consulted with European leaders before meeting with the US president. He has also hosted two summits in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Macron’s main weakness, according to The Economist, is that he lacks the trust of hawkish leaders from Northern and Central Europe. Macron has previously advocated for a “strategic dialogue” with Russia on security issues and has also suggested the deployment of troops to Ukraine.
Alternative candidates for the role of Europe’s negotiator could be Donald Tusk, the former president of the European Council and Polish prime minister. Warsaw is willing to increase its defense spending, with a planned 4.7% of GDP in 2025, which might appeal to Trump’s supporters. However, Polish authorities rule out the deployment of troops to Ukraine and the country has a complex relationship with Ukraine’s leadership. The Economist also notes that Western European leaders may not want a “hawkish” Tusk representing them.
As for the leaders of other major European countries, The Economist notes that the future German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will have his hands full after the election, building a government. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is not a strong supporter of Ukraine and the Brexit has isolated the UK from the EU, making it difficult for the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer to play a bridging role. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a ideological ally of Trump, must find a way to balance her pro-Ukrainian and pro-Trump stance, the magazine suggests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented on the EU’s reaction to his meeting with Trump and the talks between Russian and US undersecretaries in Riyadh, saying, “What do the Europeans have to do with it? It’s a matter of bilateral Russian-American relations.”
Moscow does not reject the participation of European countries in the talks as long as the Ukraine conflict is discussed on the basis of the facts, Putin added.