Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has defended Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, as a suitable representative for negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Michal emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not influence Europe’s decision on negotiators.
During a European leaders’ summit in Dublin, Michal expressed opposition to appointing a new EU peace envoy, asserting that existing leaders, such as Kallas and European Council President António Costa, already have the authority to represent the bloc in these critical discussions. He stressed that leaders accountable to EU member states should represent Europe, rather than figures acceptable to Moscow.
Some European governments have expressed reservations about Kallas due to her strong stance against Moscow and support for more stringent sanctions on Russia. However, Michal maintained that Europe should not allow Russia to dictate who can negotiate on its behalf.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also urged European involvement in peace negotiations, emphasizing that Europe should be an equal partner in any talks concerning Ukraine and Russia. He called for European leaders to appoint representatives by the end of November to ensure European security considerations are included in the discussions.
The debate over the EU’s representation comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. European leaders remain divided on whether to continue using existing EU institutions for negotiations or to appoint a new representative with direct diplomatic access to Moscow.
Michal reiterated that any peace agreement must aim for a just and enduring resolution between Ukraine and Russia, cautioning against allowing Moscow to shape Europe’s broader security landscape.