Ukraine insists on a consolidated European approach to negotiations with Russia on ending the war – one that foresees a common position, a mediation format, and excludes individual contacts between separate politicians and Putin.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said this during an online briefing on May 22, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"As for the candidates [to negotiate with Putin on behalf of Europe], there are certain names. I will not name them because this is a diplomatic process, but it definitely will not be Schroeder. And to get ahead of things, so that the Russians do not propose Gerard Depardieu or Steven Seagal again – maybe they will even bring in Orban as a negotiator from their side," Sybiha said.
According to him, this should be a format that becomes a platform for resolving "specific issues within certain timeframes." Therefore, the focus now should not be on discussions over who exactly should represent Europe, but rather on ensuring the process moves quickly and with clearly defined objectives.
"We must not legitimize contacts between individual capitals or leaders and Putin, because we have already received several approaches saying, 'Let me do it.' That should not happen. This is weakness, this is division within Europe. In fact, this is exactly what Putin wants – for individual leaders or representatives to begin reaching out to him. We believe there must be a common consolidated position, one single voice," Sybiha said.
