Europe agrees team to represent it in Ukraine peace talks

Summarised from 11 outlets · 35 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 15:26 · Archive

European leaders have agreed that officials from five major EU countries plus EU institutions will represent the continent in negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war.

European leaders meeting in Dublin on Friday agreed that the continent would be represented in Ukraine peace talks by a team rather than a single envoy. The team will comprise officials from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK, along with representatives from the European Commission and European Council.

European Council President António Costa said after the summit that Europe must 'speak with one clear and united voice' in discussions shaping Ukraine's future and the continent's security. He described the arrangement as 'a team effort', noting that the US had also assigned two envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, to the negotiations.

The decision came after days of diplomatic activity. Kushner and Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin that same evening. They had previously been involved in discussions in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine and Russia that failed to reach a breakthrough, though both sides agreed to a prisoner exchange.

European leaders had expressed deep concern about being sidelined in a US-backed process. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that 'without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine' and that 'there is no more US support'. Ukrainian President Zelensky had called for European involvement, saying it was important given Ukraine's longer-term goal of joining the EU.

However, disagreement emerged over what the US envoys claimed about Russian willingness to include Europe. Kushner said Thursday that Putin agreed to European representatives joining the next talks. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova directly contradicted this on Friday, saying the issue was never discussed during the Moscow meeting and that no Foreign Ministry officials were present.

European leaders also warned against Russian demands for a new European security architecture. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said Moscow was 'setting traps' by raising security concerns to distract from its aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe already has a functioning security framework and does not need to recreate one.

The agreement on a team approach represented a compromise after some European leaders had sought a single, high-profile negotiator to represent the continent. Ukrainian President Zelensky had suggested he wanted one person, though he did not reveal a preference. Costa said the team format would ensure Europe spoke with unified purpose in the negotiations.

How it is being reported

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• Ukraine is running out of options, and Russia knows itThe Abu Dhabi talks reveal Moscow’s growing leverage over Ukraine and a shifting Western approach to peace.Al Jazeera · 14 Nov, 06:39
• France among five major powers to represent EU in Ukraine talksEuropean Council President Antonio Costa on Friday said that Brussels will send diplomats from the bloc and five countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, to upcoming Ukraine talks.France 24 · 13 Nov, 21:38
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• Ukraine updates: Europe to send united front to potential peace talksGermany, France, the UK, Italy and Poland — as well as the EU itself — will jointly represent Europe in possible peace talks. Meanwhile, a second car bomb in two days has exploded in Moscow.DW News · 13 Nov, 19:39
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• Europe selects negotiating team for Ukraine talksUkrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky was in Dublin earlier this week to attend a major EU summit focused on support for Ukraine.Evening Standard · 13 Nov, 19:11
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• EU leaders choose team for Ukraine peace talks after months of waveringBritish representatives will be part of a team representing Europe in Ukraine peace talks.Sky News · 13 Nov, 18:04
• Breaking down key points stalling progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talksU.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held separate talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News' Aidan Stretch has more.CBS News · 13 Nov, 16:43
• Rosenberg: Uncompromising Putin ups demands for peace with UkraineThe fact the question of European security now features in discussions is viewed in Moscow as a victory, BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg says.BBC News · 13 Nov, 16:40
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• Russia is ‘setting traps’ in Ukraine talks, EU foreign policy chief warnsKaja Kallas says Moscow is trying to divert attention from its aggression by raising issue of European security Europe live – latest updates The EU’s foreign policy chief has warned against “walking into the traps that Russia is setting” as she said Moscow was trying to start a debate about European security in order to divert attention from its aggression. “We have one aggressor and one victim, and the aggressor does not have security concerns,” Kaja Kallas said on arrival at an EU leaders’ summit in Dublin. “Nobody has ever attacked them. They have attacked others. I mean, keep the focus…Guardian World · 13 Nov, 14:14
• US, Ukraine say Europe to join peace talks as Putin sticks to hardline stanceUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoy Jared Kushner said Thursday, November 12, Europe would join the next round of talks with Russia, as Vladimir Putin indicated Moscow will not compromise on its hardline demands to end almost five years of war. In a packed day of shuttle diplomacy following negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Kushner and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff held over four hours of talks with Putin in the Kremlin before jetting to debrief Zelensky in Dublin.France 24 · 13 Nov, 10:59
• 'Big development' in peace talks as Ukraine says Europe to join Russia negotiationsUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoy Jared Kushner said Thursday Europe would join the next round of talks with Russia, as Vladimir Putin indicated Moscow will not compromise on its hardline demands to end almost five years of war. Kushner and fellow envoy Steve Witkoff held over four hours of talks with Putin in the Kremlin before jetting to debrief Zelensky in Dublin. France 24's Andrew Hilliar has the details.France 24 · 13 Nov, 10:13
• Leaders meet in Dublin amid search for lead EU negotiator for peace talks with Russia - Europe liveUkraine and Russia have agreed to expand next round of negotiations to include European countries in Dublin EU leaders will continue talks on their diplomatic and financial support for Ukraine today, after Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to “pay attention” to Vladimir Putin’s demands on security. “There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Europe had a functioning European security architecture until it was first, gradually undermined, and ultimately destroyed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” “In terms of the wider point, there was a very strong feeling that you know, Russian demands to put the…The Guardian · 13 Nov, 08:53
• Europe pushes for seat at Ukraine peace talks but lacks unified voiceEuropean nations are looking for an envoy to represent them in talks to end the Russia-Ukraine warIndependent World · 13 Nov, 05:20
• 5 things to watch at the Dublin EU leaders’ summitLeaders will discuss Europe’s AI ambitions. But who speaks for Europe in Ukraine talks, how to fund Kyiv, and who replaces Christine Lagarde are also in play.Politico Europe · 13 Nov, 03:00
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• EU leaders to meet in Dublin amid prospect of Europe joining Ukraine peace talksThe informal meeting of the European Council comes a day after the Irish capital hosted the European Political Community summit.Evening Standard · 13 Nov, 02:45
• Zelensky welcomes US bringing Europe into Russia-Ukraine peace talksThe Ukrainian president says it makes sense for European leaders to be involved as Ukraine hopes to eventually join the EU.BBC World · 13 Nov, 02:01
• EU leaders tussle over who to send to Ukraine, Russia peace talksA seat at the table for Europe now appears likely following comments by a US envoy who just held talks with Putin. But who will take that seat remains unclear.DW News · 12 Nov, 22:00
• EU leaders tussle over whom to send to Ukraine, Russia peace talksA seat at the table for Europe now appears likely following comments by a US envoy who just held talks with Putin. But who will take that seat remains unclear.DW News · 12 Nov, 22:00
• AI and Ukraine to dominate EU leaders’ talks — live updatesGovernment chiefs meet in Dublin as arguments persist over who represents Europe in peace talks.Politico Europe · 12 Nov, 20:29
• Regional security dominates European talks in Dublin amid hybrid attacksEuropean nations discuss security collaboration and an envoy for Ukraine peace talks during the summit in Ireland.Al Jazeera · 12 Nov, 20:12
• Zelensky warns Europe over US-Russia talks on broader security arrangementsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned European leaders Thursday to be wary of discussions between the United States and Russia about a new security arrangement for the continent. Before launching the war in 2022, the Kremlin delivered an ultimatum to NATO on Europe's security arrangements which included demands for the alliance to withdraw forces from eastern Europe and stop accepting new members. FRANCE 24's Caroline Baum reports.France 24 · 12 Nov, 19:53
• European security and Ukraine talks top agenda at Dublin summitLeaders from more than 50 European countries and institutions are gathering in Dublin for the European Political Community summit, hosted by Ireland under the theme “Europe – strong, secure and connected”. The summit highlighted the need for Europe to have a seat at the table in any discussions shaping its future, amid an ongoing debate over how the continent should respond to US-led efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia. FRANCE 24's Europe Editor Armen Georgian tells us more.France 24 · 12 Nov, 15:44
• Ukraine dominates Dublin summit amid warnings over Europe’s security frameworkPresident Volodymyr Zelensky addressed delegates at the start of the European Political Community meeting.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 15:02
• Ukraine dominates Dublin summit amid warnings over Europe’s security frameworkPresident Volodymyr Zelensky addressed delegates at the start of the European Political Community meeting.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 13:49
• Macron Says The Quiet Part Out Loud About The US's Relationship With UkraineEmmanuel Macron has shared the bleak reality about the state of the US’s relationship with Ukraine in a surprisingly candid moment. Around 50 world leaders, including UK prime minister Andy Burnham , will gather in Dublin today for a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC). One of the topics on the table is the Ukraine-Russia war as Europeans leaders decide who should represent the continent in future negotiations. Speaking to the media on the fringes of the event, French president Macron emphasised why it was important to have a European ally at the table with Ukraine. He said…HuffPost UK · 12 Nov, 13:24
• Trump won't save Ukraine. But Marine Le Pen's betrayal could be worse | Mujtaba RahmanEuropean leaders need urgently to prepare for a far-right French president who would cut off Kyiv’s financial lifeline Europe is consumed by two debates that matter less than it thinks, while neglecting one that matters enormously. The first is who should represent the EU in negotiations with Russia. This is largely irrelevant because there is little prospect of serious Ukraine peace talks before the end of winter - despite the fanfare that has surrounded discussions in Abu Dhabi this week. Russia has powerful incentives to escalate the war over the coming months in an attempt to break…The Guardian · 12 Nov, 13:22
• European leaders gather in Dublin to discuss Ukraine's security, and their ownLeaders from more than 40 European countries gathered in Dublin on Thursday, November 12, for a summit focused on the continent’s fragile security, amid a new US-backed effort to revive talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting of the European Political Community brought together heads of state and government from European countries and the UK, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.France 24 · 12 Nov, 11:19

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Volodymyr Zelensky · António Costa · Vladimir Putin · Jared Kushner · Steve Witkoff · Kaja Kallas · France

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log