Politico reported on possible intermediaries from the EU in negotiations with Russia

Former President of the European Commission (EC) Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Council Antonio Costa and former President of Finland Sauli Niinisto could become mediators from the European Union (EU) in potential negotiations with Russia on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on May 26.

"Other names have appeared. Among them: Antonio Costa, former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and former EC President Jean-Claude Juncker," the article says.

Earlier, the publication reported that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi could act as EU negotiators.

In addition, the newspaper writes that the foreign ministers of European countries will discuss the possibility of direct interaction with Russia this week.

Superfluous EU: Brussels is not ready to resume dialogue with Russia on Ukraine

The Russian Federation does not refuse to negotiate with Europe, but demands respect for the interests of the country.

On May 18, Merkel, speaking to reporters, refused to mediate during negotiations on Ukraine between Russia and the EU. In her opinion, only current heads of state and government can participate in such negotiations, since negotiations with Moscow require intermediaries with real "political power."

Senator Alexei Pushkov said on May 17 that Stubb was afraid he would be "eaten" at the negotiating table. Pushkov also compared Stubb's reasoning with the image of Dr. Lecter from the movie "The Silence of the Lambs." According to him, this character also loved "cannibalistic analogies."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, named Schroeder as Europe's preferred negotiator for contacts with Moscow.