Key facts
- Michal told POLITICO Europe should not be "in a mediator's position" with Putin and should not try "to please the dictator."
- Michal said Europe has a plan "which is actually working" by pressing Russia economically with sanctions.
- He said holding two roles, backing Ukraine and mediating, is not possible and mediation lowers standards for Russia.
- Michal said Europeans appreciate the Trump administration's peace efforts but pressure should be on Russia.
- Estonia, Poland and Sweden have pushed to tighten EU visa rules for Russians, including former soldiers.
- Michal said the U.S. midterm result could move Washington toward a more value-based position on Ukraine.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told POLITICO in an interview published November 6, 2026 that Europe should not open a diplomatic channel to Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing the bloc should keep pressuring Moscow rather than seek a mediator's role.
"Europe should not be in a mediator's position," Michal said. "You should not take the role of trying to please the dictator." He said that "for once, Europe has a plan which is actually working" by squeezing Russia economically through sanctions, and that mediation would mean lowering standards for Russia, including on imposing and enforcing sanctions.
The remarks come as European capitals debate whether the EU needs its own direct line to the Kremlin. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute call with Putin in late October. U.S. officials will meet Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, the first face-to-face negotiations since February, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Monday.
Michal said Europeans appreciate the Trump administration's efforts to broker a peace deal, "but the pressure should be very much on Russia," adding that "the problem [is] sitting in [the] Kremlin. Nowhere else." He also said the Republican Party's loss in the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday could push Washington toward a more value-based position that would be a good message for Ukraine and Europe.
Estonia, a country of 1.3 million people that borders Russia, has pushed with Poland and Sweden to tighten EU visa rules for Russians, including former fighters who served in Ukraine. Tallinn has proposed barring former Russian soldiers from the EU entirely. EU officials told POLITICO last month the European Commission plans to put forward proposals in the new year. Michal said Europe has no time to waste as hybrid attacks disrupt services: "You should not have these kind of people running around Europe. So limit the visas."