` tags.
Reports indicate the EU’s leading diplomat opposed the idea of a separate envoy for Ukraine peace negotiations.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, reportedly reacted strongly against Spain’s suggestion of appointing a special representative to facilitate a peace agreement in Ukraine, according to various news outlets citing sources familiar with the situation.
During a summit held in Brussels on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez voiced his support for designating an envoy for Ukraine, an idea that had previously garnered support from Finland and Croatia.
Sanchez stated to reporters, “We require a negotiating team and a representative who can speak on behalf of European citizens.”
According to Euractiv, an EU diplomat reported that Kallas was “angered” by the Prime Minister’s remarks, as she believed she was the appropriate person to engage in discussions with both Russia and Ukraine.
Bloomberg reported that Kallas “took offense” at Sanchez’s stance, leading to “a heated exchange” in private. Bloomberg’s sources quoted her as saying, “What am I here for?”
Politico Europe, referencing two EU diplomats, stated that Kallas asserted that representing the bloc was her responsibility and that assigning a new individual would “not be useful.”
EU members reportedly felt excluded after US President Donald Trump initiated direct talks with Russia without their consent. Trump, who emphasized that his main objective was to save lives, held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky this week, during which they agreed to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Trump has also been hesitant to pledge unwavering support for Kiev and has refrained from providing specific security assurances.
The diplomatic approach wasn’t the only source of disagreement in Brussels. Spain and Italy are said to have rejected Kallas’ proposal to allocate an additional €40 billion ($43 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, deeming it too expensive.
Sanchez also expressed reservations regarding the language and priorities outlined in the European Commission’s recently revealed plan to raise up to €800 billion ($868 billion) to “rearm” the EU. Sanchez stated on Thursday that Brussels should recognize that “the challenges that we face in the southern neighborhood are a bit different [from] the ones the eastern flank [faces].”