Elina Valtonen (NCP) nominated her predecessor and former party chair to represent the EU in future talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) has proposed that President Alexander Stubb be named as the Europe Union’s joint negotiator on Ukraine.
Valtonen made the comment as she arrived at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Limassol, Cyprus, on Thursday — before heading to another meeting in Poland.
“Stubb is a very qualified person to speak to many people, including [Russian President] Vladimir Putin,” she told reporters. Stubb is a former premier, foreign minister and chair of the National Coalition Party, now led by PM Petteri Orpo.
Valtonen emphasised that the most important question at the moment is not who will represent Europe in future negotiations, but what kind of process can bring an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Shuttling from Cyprus to Poland
“Russia continues to attack civilian targets and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The EU responds with determination to Russia’s aggression and must consistently continue its pressure on Russia,” Valtonen said in a statement before the meeting.
Later on Thursday, Valtonen heads to Sopot, Poland, for a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS).
The CBSS, which was set up in 1992, includes the EU, the five Nordic countries and the three Baltic countries along with Germany and Poland, which holds the rotating presidency until next month.
As at the EU meeting in Cyprus, discussions are likely to focus on the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.
