Stubb seen as frontrunner to represent Europe in Ukraine peace talks

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has emerged as the most likely European candidate to mediate in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, TASS reported on Friday, citing analysis published in Berlin.

Stubb's advantage over other European politicians is said to be his working relationship with US President Donald Trump, which could reduce friction between Washington and Kyiv at the negotiating table. Relations between the two have deteriorated sharply in recent months, according to the report.

The assessment followed Stubb's talks earlier this week in Oslo with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The development comes as EU member states seek a way to ensure the bloc's interests are represented in any settlement process, having grown concerned about their marginal role in talks so far.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that discussions on security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia would naturally require addressing the broader framework of European security, aligning with a position the United States had already advanced. Putin added that Russia would monitor the situation in the coming days.