European Union officials are debating how to secure a unified seat in possible talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussions gained urgency after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg on October 21, according to a Politico report cited by Radio Svoboda. Radio Svoboda reported the developments on Thursday, October 22.

Czech President Petr Pavel said Putin avoids engagement with senior EU figures and does not regard the bloc as an authoritative negotiating party. Pavel argued that European states should select one or several representatives and grant them a common mandate, without limiting the role to current EU or NATO chiefs.

Politico identified Finnish President Alexander Stubb as a possible choice, noting his relationship with US President Donald Trump and Finland’s long border with Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa were also mentioned. Diplomats said Brussels wants any participant to represent the entire union rather than a single national capital.

In a separate interview, Pavel criticized a Russian diesel supply arrangement announced by Trump on October 9. He said the deal eased pressure on Moscow and reflected Europe’s lack of unity, while also faulting European countries for delays in delivering weapons to Ukraine.