The head of the Norwegian MFA believes that Europe should concentrate on supporting Ukraine, rather than attempting to act as a neutral party.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia / © TSN
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide stated that Europe cannot simultaneously be a primary ally of Ukraine and a neutral mediator in potential negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow to end the war.
He said this in an interview with The Telegraph.
According to the Norwegian minister, European countries should continue to focus on supporting Ukraine, rather than trying to act as a neutral party in the peace process.
“One can imagine two different roles. One is the voice of Europe in these negotiations, that’s a good idea. The other is an alternative mediator, I think that’s a less good idea,” Barth Eide stated.
He compared the role of Ukraine’s ally and the role of a mediator to the difference between a lawyer and a judge.
“Being a supporter of Ukraine is a good and heroic role. The role of a mediator can also be heroic, but it’s a different role. It’s like the difference between a lawyer and a judge. There’s nothing wrong with a judge, but they cannot simultaneously be a lawyer for one side,” said the head of the Norwegian MFA.
As The Telegraph notes, in recent weeks, the European Union has informally discussed the possibility of appointing a separate representative for potential negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi were mentioned among potential candidates.
At the same time, Barth Eide said that a representative of Western powers should probably not be considered for the role of mediator.
“When it comes to a mediator or a facilitator, perhaps one should not focus on choosing another Western citizen, but on someone who may have a certain distance,” he emphasized.
The minister also stated that Europe should not weaken its support for Ukraine due to recent developments at the front.
“Now is the time to double down on support and ensure not only the quantity but also the quality of it,” said the head of the Norwegian MFA.
According to him, the Ukrainian side reports a halt in the Russian offensive in certain areas, and these assessments, the minister said, are confirmed by independent data.
The Telegraph also reminds that Norway, although not part of the EU, remains one of the largest donors of military aid to Ukraine among European nations.
Recall that the European Union is actively discussing candidates for the role of special envoy for negotiations on the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to the publication Politico, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and President of Finland Alexander Stubb are among the main contenders.
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