EU Leaders Clash Over Who Represents Bloc in Ukraine Talks

European leaders failed to agree on who will represent the bloc in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, with disagreements so serious that Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal compared the situation to a TV show plot, Politico reports. Among possible candidates for the EU representative role is European Council President Antonio Costa, considered suitable by position, but France and Germany are reluctant to cede their negotiating positions to Brussels. Another option is EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, whose tough stance raises doubts about Russia's willingness to engage with her. One EU diplomat called Kallas "probably the worst candidate that could be chosen," while another source suggested she might be the most suitable, as Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer such a candidate. Michal joked that the most interesting part of the discussion was left for the next day.