Czech President Pavel may become Europe's Ukraine negotiator

Czech President Petr Pavel is among the candidates for the role of European negotiator on Ukraine, a British outlet reports, citing sources. Europe wants to play a more visible role in talks with Russia, since more than a year and a half of US mediation has produced no tangible breakthrough.

There are also growing fears that US President Donald Trump no longer represents Europe's interests and is siding with Moscow in talks on ending the conflict that Putin began in February 2022 with an order to invade. So the outlet claims.

Whom Europe could choose

In an interview with the international journalism network to which this outlet belongs, Pavel said Europe should identify "a person or a group of people who will speak on behalf of Europe". They need not be representatives of the EU or NATO; it is enough that they are leaders who have received a mandate from the others to negotiate. According to him, Putin ignores the European Union as an authority: he does not want to talk to Ursula von der Leyen and does not communicate with Kaja Kallas, and has cut off contact with other European leaders as well, including Emmanuel Macron.

According to the outlet's sources, whose article was picked up overnight on Friday first of all by Russian media, including the state agency TASS, the Czech president has a suitable profile: as a former chairman of the NATO Military Committee, he has extensive experience negotiating with Russians at the military level. Other candidates under consideration include Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. One source says it is more likely that Europe will pick a group of leaders, to avoid rivalry between countries and vetoes on individual candidates.

“Something sweet” for Putin

Pavel believes it is time to start serious negotiations with Putin on reducing tensions while fears of an open military conflict between Russia and the West are growing. The Czech president proposes giving Putin "something sweet", such as resumed trade and cooperation, which he says appeals to Russia. In his view, anti-Russian sanctions can be eased only on condition that Russia again becomes a respected partner, that is, agrees to a ceasefire and peace talks.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Wednesday that three-way talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia will continue next month. This comes after Trump waived new sanctions on Moscow and agreed with Putin on purchases of Russian oil. Critics object that Moscow uses the money it receives to keep financing the war, while the US president insists it is the only way to persuade the Russian leader to sit down at the negotiating table.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz