Italy’s government is calling for the swift appointment of a common EU representative for negotiations with Russia

The Government of Italy is calling for the rapid designation, by consensus, of one or more representatives of the European Union to hold talks with Russia about the war in Ukraine. The appeal comes after the prime ministers of Norway and the president of Finland called Vladimir Putin, specifying that they had spoken on behalf of their own countries, not Europe.

Sources in Giorgia Meloni’s office warned that the lack of a clear European mandate encourages member states to act separately and risks reducing the EU’s influence in peace negotiations. Rome maintains that Europe must quickly decide who will represent its interests, as the negotiations will not wait.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Finnish President Alexander Stubb justified the call by citing their countries’ proximity to Russia and the war’s direct impact on European security. The initiative was also criticized by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said it had not been coordinated with the other states.

Giorgia Meloni, Alexander Stubb, Petr Pavel, Mette Frederiksen and Jonas Gahr Store are on the shortlist of possible European negotiators. Talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine are planned in Abu Dhabi for next month.