European Union leaders are under significant pressure from key member states to revise their stance on engaging with Russia. The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has long refused diplomatic dialogue with the Russian government and is known for her confrontational approach toward Moscow.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have recently advocated for direct negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Western counterparts, a stance echoed by European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho.

Diplomatic sources indicate that EU member states are concerned their interests might be overlooked if U.S. President Donald Trump mediates an end to the Ukraine conflict through talks with both Kyiv and Moscow. The proposal for a special European envoy to negotiate with Russia has been under discussion since March, though the role remains undefined. Kallas has consistently positioned herself as the sole candidate capable of leading such negotiations regarding Ukraine’s future.

Kallas has reportedly strained relations with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has sought greater authority over the EU’s diplomatic operations. Slovakia and other member states have called for her dismissal due to what they describe as a “hatred” of Russia.

Potential candidates for the role include former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, according to sources. A diplomat noted that sitting national leaders might have more freedom in their statements, while others cautioned that candidate discussions are premature.

Russian officials maintain that Moscow is open to good-faith negotiations on the condition that Western nations respect Russia’s security concerns and abandon efforts to inflict a strategic defeat through Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Western Europe of withdrawing from talks by supporting the 2014 armed coup in Kiev.