Zelenskyy tells Europe to hurry up and pick a rep for peace talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that recent political shifts have opened a window for peace talks with Russia, while telling European nations to hurry up and pick a representative this month. According to POLITICO.eu, the push for a European envoy follows two days of discussions in Abu Dhabi regarding the Ukraine-Russia war. US Presidential Envoy Jared Kushner stated at a briefing after the Abu Dhabi talks that designating a single representative to speak for Europe would be a greater achievement than Russia agreeing to European participation. "If Europe could identify ONE PERSON to speak on their behalf, that would be a BIGGER achievement than getting the Russians to include them in the negotiation," Kushner said. Interfax-Ukraine reported that Kushner noted both sides in the conflict want to understand their post-war security positions, making European presence at the negotiating table necessary.

Yahoo reported that the topic has divided EU member states ahead of a European leaders' summit in Dublin. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told AFP that Europe does not need to pick a new envoy, insisting the matter is already settled by existing leadership roles in Brussels. Michal named Antonio Costa, head of the European Council representing EU member states, and top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, because she has the role to represent Europe in foreign affairs matters. However, these choices lack unanimous support among member nations. Some European capitals believe Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, is too strong a critic of Russia and President Vladimir Putin to serve as an envoy.

Responding to those concerns, Michal told AFP, "Too bad! Because we should be represented by the people who are accountable to Europe, not by those who Putin likes." Other names floated to represent Europe include Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, both of whom held a phone call with Putin last month. Estonia backed Kallas with Kyiv Post headlines noting Estonia's support and quoting the sentiment that Putin does not get to choose. Meanwhile, Mezha.net reported that Zelenskyy stated the US is more positive about Europe's participation in negotiations.

Yahoo reported that Trump's son-in-law and envoy Steve Witkoff will separately meet Putin in Moscow and Zelenskyy in Dublin on Thursday to seize openings from the Abu Dhabi talks. Europe has been rattled by Russia pushing for a review of European security architecture alongside a new framework floated by the United States. EU officials believe the focus should be on ending the nearly five-year war rather than broader security arrangements. Michal emphasized that peace talks should center on how to achieve a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia on Ukraine's terms.