OREANDA-NEWS  European leaders are considering five candidates for the role of representative for possible talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the Telegraph writes, citing diplomatic sources.

"European leaders are selecting candidates to participate in negotiations with Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. Among the possible negotiators are Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Peter Pavel, as well as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gare Stere," the publication says.
 
As it is specified, the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who was previously also considered as a potential mediator, refused to play such a role at a recent meeting in Brussels.
 
In addition, it is added that in recent weeks, the desire to find representatives to participate in peace talks has intensified in Europe due to concerns that US President Donald Trump allegedly no longer defends the interests of the European continent properly.

"Europe has come to an understanding: first of all, there needs to be a consensus that we need to negotiate with the Russians. Secondly, we need a consensus on exactly what our position should be," the article says.

The day before, Politico newspaper wrote that Europe had begun discussing a candidate for dialogue with Moscow.
Putin called former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder the preferred option for a mediator in the negotiations. At the same time, he stressed that the Europeans themselves should choose a leader whom they trust and who did not make harsh statements against Moscow.