Meloni may propose Stubb as a negotiator on Ukraine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni supports the appointment of Finnish President Alexander Stubb as a mediator from the European Union (EU) in possible negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. This was reported on June 12 by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

According to Meloni, the mediator should be a representative of a "small but no less reputable country" with "very strong transatlantic ties" and deep knowledge of the Ukrainian issue.

The article notes that these are the criteria that the head of the Italian government has been discussing with European leaders in recent days. Stubb, who is a close friend of US President Donald Trump and a staunch supporter of Ukraine, "directly meets" these requirements.

Rome is also expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in choosing a single mediator from the EU. Meloni's entourage believes that some European capitals are not ready to give up their own leading role in resolving the conflict. This situation only complicates the search for a common position of the European Union, the article emphasizes.

Communication interruption: why the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev remains on pause

At the final press conference in Astana, Putin declared Russia's readiness to resume negotiations and assessed the prospects for ending the conflict.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 9 that it was unacceptable to begin EU mediation in resolving the conflict in Ukraine by imposing conditions on Russia. He added that so far Europe is "far" from the role of a mediator in the negotiations.

Stubb announced on June 10 that he did not see himself as a negotiator with Russia from the European Union. He stressed that Europe should start a dialogue with Moscow. According to Stubb, Finland or Norway could facilitate negotiations on the Ukrainian crisis "in the background."