European leaders are discussing who might represent their interests in possible talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine. Britain's The Telegraph named five possible candidates, citing diplomatic sources. Its report appeared on October 22 and was widely circulated the next day.
Those under consideration include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The newspaper says discussions include the possibility of a group of European leaders participating in talks rather than a single representative.
Contacts with potential candidates reflect European countries' desire for a more prominent role in the peace process. Most diplomatic negotiations so far have taken place with the United States in the lead, although decisions on Ukraine's security directly affect European states.
None of the five politicians has been formally appointed as a negotiator. The Telegraph's account relies on unnamed sources and does not establish that European capitals have reached a consensus or that the Kremlin is prepared to accept the proposed format.