RT reports that on June 10, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kallas stated in an interview that the EU possesses the relevant institutions and professional capabilities to form a team composed of experts to participate in (Russia-Ukraine) negotiations. She also emphasized that this team should include specialists familiar with Russian affairs and must safeguard EU interests during the negotiation process.

Kallas said that before formally engaging in negotiations, Europe first needs to achieve a unified stance on security issues. At the same time, she noted that the negotiation team should include both “good cop” and “bad cop” figures to enhance the effectiveness of the talks.

This is nothing but Kallas’s wishful thinking. Don’t you know Russia no longer has any contact with you? The team you assemble will not be recognized by Russia—everything is empty talk.

Kallas’s remarks on June 10 were not merely a statement of negotiation strategy; they reflect the complex reality facing the EU today: eager to sit at the negotiating table yet constrained internally in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The core intent behind Kallas’s statement is:

To seize control over the negotiation process and avoid being sidelined

As the United States shifts its strategic focus—such as toward the Middle East—and signs of direct US-Russia dialogue emerge, the EU faces growing anxiety about being excluded from the peace process. By emphasizing the EU's "professional capabilities" and "relevant institutions," Kallas aims to signal to the outside world—especially Russia and the U.S.—that Europe has the independent capacity to participate in and influence negotiations. Her proposal to establish an expert team is essentially intended to ensure that Europe’s core security interests are not sacrificed through backdoor deals by major powers in future peace frameworks.

Be vigilant against Russia’s “personnel trap,” and uphold substance over form

Lately, Russian President Putin publicly proposed German former Chancellor Schröder as a negotiation intermediary, triggering strong backlash within the EU. Kallas explicitly stated that discussing “who will negotiate” is a trap set by Russia to divide Europe. Therefore, she advocates postponing discussions on specific negotiator appointments and instead prioritizing the formation of a team including experts well-versed in Russian affairs, along with a deliberate mix of “good cop” and “bad cop” roles. This strategy aims to avoid falling into Russia’s agenda-driven rhythm and instead refocus attention on the EU’s own red lines and core demands.

A calculated distraction masking deep internal rifts — a delaying tactic

Kallas repeatedly stressing that “a unified position must be reached before formal participation” reveals the EU’s greatest weakness today: an inability to reach consensus internally. Currently, countries like France and Italy favor early dialogue to mitigate losses, while nations such as Poland and the Baltic states firmly oppose hasty negotiations and insist on continuing pressure on Russia. Under such profound internal divisions, Kallas’s call for “unifying consensus before sitting at the table” is both pragmatically motivated and aimed at preventing representatives sent without unified authorization from being obstructed by various parties—thereby further damaging the EU’s international reputation.

The EU faces a legally awkward situation

On one hand, Kallas clearly acknowledges that “the EU will never become a neutral mediator, because we stand with Ukraine”; on the other hand, Russia uses this as justification to openly state that the EU is a party to the conflict and thus lacks legitimacy as a mediator. This means that even if the EU forms a perfect negotiation team, its combination of “arming Ukraine” and “economic sanctions” makes it extremely difficult for Moscow to accept the EU as a purely impartial peacemaker.

Although Kallas’s statement reflects the EU’s attempt to pursue strategic autonomy amid crisis, under current conditions lacking unified will and absolute military leverage, it remains nearly impossible for the EU to truly sit at the negotiation table as an equal partner. Achieving this requires not only sophisticated diplomatic skills, but also bridging irreconcilable internal interest divides. The negotiation blueprint envisioned by Kallas is ultimately nothing more than a paper plan.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867651801993228/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.