Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has thrown his support behind European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as a negotiator in efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking before a European leaders’ summit in Dublin, Michal emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not influence Europe’s selection of negotiators, advocating for leaders already accountable to EU member states.
Michal dismissed suggestions for appointing a new EU peace envoy, arguing that existing leaders, such as Kallas and European Council President António Costa, have the mandate to represent the EU in these critical negotiations. Despite concerns from some European governments about Kallas’s suitability due to her strong stance against Moscow and advocacy for tougher sanctions, Michal maintained that European leaders should be chosen based on their accountability to member states, not their acceptability to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed the need for European involvement, urging leaders to appoint representatives by the end of November. He highlighted the importance of Europe participating as an equal partner in discussions about the conflict, asserting that decisions impacting European security cannot exclude European voices.
The debate over the EU’s negotiation approach arises amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war. EU leaders are divided on whether to channel negotiations through existing institutions or appoint a separate representative with direct access to Moscow. Michal stressed that any peace agreement should strive for a fair and lasting solution between Ukraine and Russia and must not concede to Moscow’s influence over Europe’s security framework.