EU withholds peace envoy pick until Russia shows real intent to end war

European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters at a briefing that Brussels currently sees no sign that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is genuinely prepared for a peaceful settlement, Suspilne reported.

“We see no signals from President Vladimir Putin that he is really seeking peace, so it would be great to have a discussion about envoys when the right moment comes and when we see real readiness for peace from Russia,” she said.

Pinho also said National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who heads Ukraine’s negotiating team, was in Brussels on May 25 and met with Björn Seibert, head of Cabinet to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She said such contacts are part of ongoing coordination between the EU and Ukraine. The two sides discussed defense cooperation during the meeting, including in the context of the latest Russian attacks.

European Council President António Costa said on May 7 that EU leaders were ready to begin talks with Russia. He stressed that Europe was ready to take part in any negotiations on ending the war and had Zelenskyy’s support.

The Financial Times reported that the EU was discussing whether former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi or former German Chancellor Angela Merkel could represent the bloc in potential talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Merkel later criticized the European Union for failing to use its diplomatic influence to help end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She also said she was not suited to serve as a mediator.