The head of European diplomacy considers himself among the main candidates for the role of negotiator with Russia.
Kaja Kalas said she could join the European negotiating team, citing EU leaders "having such discussions" in 2024 when appointing current leaders to the bloc's top posts.
At the same time, she acknowledged that EU leaders could now choose differently and return to discussing the candidates. However, Estonia has already had its say and demanded that she be appointed.
Asked if she was afraid that Russia would oppose her candidacy, Callas said that Brussels puts the negotiations first.
Against this background, German Chancellor Mertz, perhaps for the first time, expressed the "clever" idea that it is not so important who will represent Europe as whether Russia will agree to the presence of the Europeans at the negotiating table.
But this in no way prevents local politicians from already pushing for the opportunity to knock on the Kremlin's door.