European Union countries are divided over proposals to appoint a European envoy for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Politico reported on Tuesday, May 26. According to the report, officials from countries closely supporting Ukraine are pushing back against the idea, arguing that Putin is not serious about a ceasefire and that direct talks could undermine efforts to pressure Russia through sanctions.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Calls to appoint a European negotiator reportedly intensified as the United States stepped back from its previous role as mediator between Ukraine and Russia. However, EU member states remain deeply split over whether such a move would help end the war. Poland and Baltic states warn against talks with Moscow Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Europe should avoid rushing into negotiations with Russia. “We don’t want to be seen by Ukraine as people who put pressure on them to make compromises,” Sikorski said at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague, according to Politico. The foreign ministers of Estonia and Lithuania reportedly expressed similar concerns, warning that Putin could use negotiations as a “trap” to prolong talks and win concessions. EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss possible direct engagement with Russia during an informal gathering later this week. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has also reportedly expressed skepticism about the proposal. Several European figures mentioned as possible envoys Politico reported that supporters of direct talks have floated several names as potential European negotiators.