Russia will not choose who speaks for Europe in potential Ukraine talks, EU ministers say

BRUSSELS/LIMASSOL, May 28 - Russia will not choose who represents Europe in any potential talks with Moscow over Ukraine, EU foreign ministers said on Thursday, as the bloc's foreign policy chief warned that Moscow demonstrated no real interest in peace.

The ministers gathered informally in Cyprus to discuss strategy towards Russia as Kyiv pushes for more European involvement to help end the war, with the U.S. focused on the Iran conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to negotiations with Europe, the RIA news agency reported on Wednesday citing the Kremlin, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has in recent weeks urged Europe to become part of the process.

Speaking to reporters, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers agreed Russia still shows no genuine interest in peace and that an unconditional ceasefire is a prerequisite for negotiations.

"Europe will never be a neutral mediator between Russia and Ukraine because we are on Ukraine's side and we are defending our own core security interests," Kallas said after the meeting, adding that Europe should help in negotiations.

Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin suggested that former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has described the Russian leader as a personal friend, could represent Europe.

European governments rejected that proposal, with Kallas restating that on Thursday.

"I find that it's a trap that Russia wants us to walk into, that we discuss who talks to them, and they're already picking who is suitable or who is not," Kallas said ahead of the meeting.

"Let's not walk into that trap. Negotiation is always a team effort."

DEFINING A COMMON APPROACH TO RUSSIA

Kallas also said that her vision is for Europe's asks and red lines for negotiations to include a demand that Russia stop sabotage operations in Europe, pay for the destruction it has caused, and that any limitations on the Ukrainian military should mean limitations on the Russian military as well.

"It is clear that all our efforts have to be also complementary to U.S. efforts," Kallas said.

"I think it is very important that we push Ukraine and Russia to talk to each other, because there are so many issues where only they can decide, and nobody else."

Despite a flurry of speculation, some ministers have said it was premature to discuss who could represent Europe in possible future negotiations.

"This is not the time when we are discussing who is going to have the negotiations," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told reporters in Cyprus.

"Europe will decide the name of the negotiator, not Mr Putin," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he arrived at the meeting.

CARRYING THE EUROPEAN MESSAGE

No decisions were made at Thursday's meeting.

One senior official from an EU member state said that many questions remained unanswered about a possible European role in negotiations.

"There are an array of issues which would need to be addressed before even concluding on a name. What would be the mandate? Who would they be accountable to? What is the decision making process?" the official said.

Some ministers signalled openness to Europe designating an envoy in the future.

"I am confident that together we can not only agree about a mandate, but perhaps also on some people that could take on this role," Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told reporters. REUTERS