Ukraine urges Europe to appoint a high-level negotiator to participate in discussions between the United States and Russia.

Ukraine has urged European countries to appoint a high-level representative for potential negotiations aimed at ending the Russian war.

This was reported on February 17 by Bloomberg, citing Deputy Head of the President's Office Ihor Zhovkva.

The news emerged after U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine under President Donald Trump, Keith Kellogg, stated on February 15 that Europe would not directly participate in peace negotiations, but its interests would be taken into account.

Zhovkva emphasized the urgency of appointing a European representative, stating: "This must be a decision made quickly. I hope it will happen right after the Paris meeting. We need to act, not just contemplate."

The official did not specify any potential candidates but mentioned that this individual should hold a leadership position that corresponds to the status of Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump, and Putin.

Zelensky, speaking in the United Arab Emirates, also supported this idea, stressing that Europe should have its representative to ensure its voice is heard in the negotiations.

European leaders are gathering in Paris on February 17 for an emergency summit due to concerns that the U.S. is pushing for peace talks with Russia without European involvement.

At the Munich Security Conference, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković called for the EU to appoint a special representative to participate in the negotiations.

Background. Meanwhile, Trump's special representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated that the U.S. will not impose a peace agreement on Ukraine – it should be a decision made solely by President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people. He confirmed that the participation of Europeans in the negotiations is not anticipated.