During his departure for a summit involving EU and Western Balkan nations, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš emphasized the need for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to spearhead negotiations on behalf of the European Union aimed at halting Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Babiš expressed that the ongoing conflict yields no positive outcomes, identifying Russian President Vladimir Putin as the aggressor. He also noted that U.S. President Donald Trump is currently focused on issues in the Middle East, particularly concerning the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
“In my opinion, Chancellor Merz should somehow lead a diplomatic mission based on a mandate from the Council and the Commission,” Babiš stated.
In related remarks, European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas previously asserted that Europe cannot serve as a neutral mediator in potential negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as it stands firmly with Ukraine. Kallas also warned against allowing Russia to influence the selection of a negotiator that would best suit its interests.
Furthermore, discussions in Finland suggest that defining Europe’s role in the negotiation process regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and identifying a specific negotiator will be a lengthy endeavor.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has called for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to lead EU negotiations to end Russian aggression in Ukraine. This comes amid discussions on Europe's role in the ongoing conflict and the selection of a suitable negotiator.
Source: Європейська правда