Italian economist, former prime minister, and global policy figure
EU leaders dismiss Putin’s suggestion that Schröder could represent Europe in Ukraine peace talks, with Kallas calling the move an attempt to stack the deck. Ministers are pressing ahead with discussions on a European role in any future talks, while U.S.-led negotiations show little progress.
Russia has been applying economic and diplomatic pressure on Armenia ahead of its 7 June 2026 parliamentary election, banning or restricting imports, recalling its ambassador and warning Armenia against pursuing EU membership. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is framing the vote as a choice between peace with Azerbaijan and a return to war while deepening ties with the EU and US.