Finnish President offers to serve as EU negotiator with Russia amid debate over engaging Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has expressed willingness to act as the European Union’s representative in potential peace negotiations with Russia, as the bloc weighs options for a unified voice in talks over Ukraine.

In a television interview on Monday, Stubb told Finland’s Yle Radio Suomi that if asked, he could not say no to such a role – but only after Russia agrees to a ceasefire. “If they ask me, it’s probably a question you can’t answer negatively,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron is widely seen as the first major European leader to publicly argue that it was time for Europe to resume direct talks with Vladimir Putin, with whom he held a two-hour conversation last July.

Putin and Macron rekindle dialogue after three-year hiatus

Stubb’s statement comes as EU foreign ministers prepare for an informal meeting in Cyprus on 27-28 May to discuss potential candidates for a dedicated EU negotiator with Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously called for Europe to have its own representative in any peace process.

Potential candidates and divisions

Media reports indicate the EU is considering high-profile figures such as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. Stubb and his predecessor Sauli Niinistö have also been mentioned.

Opinions within Europe differ sharply on whether direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin make strategic sense at this stage. Proponents argue that Europe must secure its interests independently, especially if U.S. mediation under President Trump advances without full alignment on European priorities. Critics warn that engaging Putin without strong leverage could reward aggression and undermine Ukraine’s position.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at the GLOBSEC forum in Prague, hinted that dialogue with Russia could eventually prove useful in a post-Putin period , reflecting a view shared by some capitals. Indeed, many Eastern and Northern European officials remain sceptical of premature talks.

Negative reactions have surfaced to other names. Putin himself suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder – widely viewed as too close to Moscow due to his business ties with Russian energy firms – drawing swift rejection in Brussels. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, known for her strongly hawkish stance on Russia, is not considered a credible candidate.

The discussion reflects growing European concern that Washington and Moscow might strike a deal sidelining EU interests. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023, positions Stubb – a fluent Russian speaker with extensive foreign policy experience – as a credible bridge.

Stubb is also seen as well-equipped to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he has occasionally played golf.

The article in Ukrainian by EUalive’s partner European Pravda can be found here.

Caption: Finland’s President Alexander Stubb attends a press conference after his meeting with Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius, Lithuania, 14 May 2026. The Finnish President is on a state visit to Lithuania from 14 to 15 May. During their meeting the presidents discussed bilateral relations and defence cooperation. EPA/VALDA KALNINA