Europeans Begin Search for Contact Person with Putin

The search is on for an appropriate person from the European Union who could mediate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin has indicated that it would have to be someone who hasn’t “badmouthed” Russia. That eliminates potty-mouth Kaja Kallas from Estonia. Other possibilities seem to be Finland’s Alexander Stubb, former German Chancellor Angla Merkel, or former Italian President Mario Draghi. Merkel recently issued a statement that one must not “underestimate” the Russian President. This is perhaps an effort on her part to convince the European leaders that she would also be a “tough” negotiator with Putin.At the same time she is calling for a European “interlocutor,” obviously throwing her own hat in the ring. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also noted the interest in Europe in finding such an interlocutor.