Europe to send diplomat team to Ukraine peace talks

Europe will send a team of diplomats from across the continent to Ukraine peace talks, the European Union announced Friday after a summit of EU leaders in Dublin.

Who will represent Europe

European Council President Antonio Costa said the continent will be represented by the EU and five members of the "coalition of the willing" that backs Ukraine: the U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Poland.

It was not immediately clear who would represent the EU's institutions. Speculation had centered on Costa and the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, laid claim to the envoy role Friday, saying, "I’m the one who is representing Europe in the foreign and security policy."

Why Europe wants a seat

European leaders have been concerned that a U.S.-backed process will leave them sidelined and Kyiv vulnerable as Moscow and Washington decide the fate of a conflict that has roiled the continent. Ukraine is eager for support from its European allies and is reluctant to leave the talks solely in the hands of a U.S. administration that has often seemed to lean toward Moscow’s views.

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after they met in Dublin late Thursday that Europe would be part of the next round of talks. Zelenskyy said Europe would send a negotiating team, adding, "They will have a voice."

"We cannot conclude this deal without the Europeans being at the table," Kushner said. He said Putin "is willing to give it a try."

Divisions and objections

Russia does not want European countries involved in direct negotiations, complaining they are financing and supplying Ukraine’s military effort. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Europe must first name a representative. "The Europeans squabble like spiders in a jar."

European leaders also distrust U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate on their behalf after a series of tense standoffs over trade, Greenland and conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. With Trump due to head to Beijing next week to meet Putin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said European leaders feared another "Anchorage moment," a reference to the Alaska summit where they were stunned by Trump's overtures to the Russian leader in the absence of Ukrainian or European envoys.

"Please, no surprises," Merz said. "Continue to play in team Europe and in the team with Ukraine."

Why it matters

The team approach allows participation by members of the "coalition of the willing," a group of nations that have pledged to underpin a future ceasefire with military support. Poland is a voice for nations on the EU's eastern flank that face constant hybrid threats from Russia, including influence campaigns and disruptive drones.

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Sources

• 2news.com: Europe to send a diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders push for a voice | National News | 2news.com
• union-bulletin.com: Europe to send a diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders push for a voice | World | union-bulletin.com
• oskaloosa.com: Europe to send a diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders push for a voice | National News | oskaloosa.com
• ottumwacourier.com: Europe to send a diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders push for a voice | National News | ottumwacourier.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.