Ukraine War | Candidate choice to make others ashamed

Merz, Macron or someone else? While Europe's alpha males wage battles for competence, Ukraine continues to suffer. Photo: IMAGO/Avalon.red The talks about an end to the war in Ukraine are picking up a little speed again and are causing a tussle for political competence among Kiev's European supporters, who are therefore painting a sad picture.

After years of refusing any diplomatic efforts, the European Union is loudly demanding a seat at the table when it comes to peace for Ukraine. And at the big table, not in the next room, as was the case during the recent discussions in Abu Dhabi.

The desire or demand itself is understandable, after all it is about peace and security in the immediate neighborhood. But in order to have a place at the big table, the EU would have to have a plan for what it actually wants to negotiate. And who is suitable for it.

It is easy to accuse Moscow of not being seriously interested in negotiations. This also hits an important point, but falls far short. Who should Russia talk to if everyone seems interested only in excelling and securing a place in the history books?

Without Germany nothing will happen, says Chancellor Friedrich Merz. French President Emmanuel Macron also wants to be chief negotiator. Last but not least, EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas from Estonia also thinks she is the right person for the talks. And this despite the fact that she pursues diplomacy more with a crowbar than with tact.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal joked on the sidelines of the informal EU summit in Dublin that one could record a show about the candidate selection. It would be a show to shame others, with no candidates who are genuinely interested in a solution and targeted talks with Moscow. EU Council President António Costa's name keeps coming up, but the Portuguese doesn't seem to have a chance. And Finland's President Alexander Stubb felt the concentrated headwind of conservative Europe for his latest attempt.

In the Kremlin one should only laugh at this disgraceful spectacle. In any case, you can't take it seriously. Especially since you're unlikely to feel like talking to someone who primarily appears with a lot of anger and hatred. At the end of this mania for profiling, Ukraine is once again the big loser. Not only will the war continue; Russia and the USA might ultimately prefer to come to an agreement without the Europeans.

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