Meloni says to propose single EU negotiator to contact Russia
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday she will propose a single negotiator representing the European Union (EU) to handle contacts with Russia over the Ukraine issue at the upcoming EU summit, reported Xinhua.
Speaking at the conclusion of the G7 summit in Evian, France, Meloni warned that the proliferation of diplomatic channels within Europe risks creating confusion, stressing the need for a unified EU voice in contacts with Russia.
Regarding the origin of the EU negotiator, Meloni said, "It would be very difficult to put forward someone from one of the largest European countries," because "proposing one of those candidates would make an agreement harder to reach, so I would look instead to the EU's medium-sized powers."
Also on Wednesday, according to media reports in Brussels, an EU official said the office of European Council President Antonio Costa had made "brief contacts at diplomatic level" with the Russian government in recent weeks "to open communication channels."
6/17/2026 5:51:47 PM