Kallas says 'Russians don't want me' as EU envoy for peace talks

High Representative Kaja Kallas has pitched herself as the European Union's designated envoy for the negotiations to end Russia's war on Ukraine, arguing it is incumbent upon her, as foreign policy chief, to take on the high-stakes job.But, she noted, "Russians do not want me" at the table due to her "strong" views."But do we have a say in who is representing Russia? No, we do not," Kallas said on Friday morning. "Really, we have to have a strong team."Speaking in Dublin, Ireland, at an informal summit of EU leaders, Kallas said it was those very heads of state and government who named her High Representative, knowing that face-to-face talks with Moscow would have to happen at some point."In June 2024, there was a decision by the leaders (on) who is representing (the EU) when it comes to security and foreign policy. And it was the discussion that in these five years there is going to be a negotiation with the Russians," she said."If the leaders want to change that agreement, of course, they may, because it is the leaders' decision, but I think we should focus our energy actually on the substance."Kallas said the EU should not "copy the same pattern" that the United States follows in the negotiations, with two hand-picked envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.