Putin rules out a truce
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking on television the day after meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff, rejected a Ukrainian proposal to trade territorial concessions for a ceasefire on the front line. Volodymyr Zelenskyy had put that offer forward the day before in an interview with the American broadcaster Fox. Putin said he did not regard handing over land as a concession, calling the Ukrainian territories Russia has captured its historical lands. He added that talking about any territorial concessions seemed inappropriate to him. He said he had agreed with Witkoff only to launch three-way talks on security guarantees for Russia and Ukraine that would apply after the war ends. He showed no interest in a truce, and he argued that Ukraine could have reached an agreement with him earlier because Ukrainians and Russians are genetically close, while adding that Russia would achieve its goals on the battlefield if Ukraine refused its terms.
Europe looks for its own negotiator
Politico reported that European governments are examining whether to appoint one person to represent them in direct talks with Putin on ending the war in Ukraine. The search accelerated after Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg and presented proposals for ending the war and returning to negotiations involving the United States and Ukraine. European governments fear that understandings reached between Washington and Moscow without them could overlook European interests and weaken Kyiv's position. Among the candidates are Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council. According to the report, Stubb's advantages are his good relations with US President Donald Trump and Finland's experience in dealing with Russia. Some diplomats think Costa could be a more acceptable intermediary for Moscow, but he reportedly said at an EU summit in mid-October that he did not intend for now to speak directly with Putin.
Who could speak for Europe
Czech President Petr Pavel favours giving a mandate to one person or a group of negotiators. In his view they would not have to come from the EU or NATO, provided European leaders authorise them to speak for Europe. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Kaja Kallas, the EU's head of diplomacy, are also named as possible figures. The names so far remain open, and no decision has been reported.
Oslo talks and open questions
The European Commission said the EU is taking part in preparations for possible negotiations. Talks in Oslo with representatives of Ukraine, the United States and Europe dealt with territorial questions, Ukraine's security and its postwar reconstruction. No agreement has yet been reached on who would represent Europe in direct talks with the Kremlin. Putin's proposal for three-way talks on guarantees and the European search for an envoy remain separate questions, and the articles give no date for either.