EU split into three camps over choice of representative for talks with Russia - Politico
Photo: European Council President António Costa (Getty Images)
EU countries cannot agree on who should represent the bloc in talks on Ukraine. Some support European Council President António Costa, while France and Germany are unwilling to give up their seats to Brussels, Politico reports.
According to the outlet, the issue of Europe's representation will be discussed at a meeting of EU leaders in Dublin today, November 13. Diplomats and officials said that at least three camps had emerged around the issue.
Who could represent the EU
António Costa's candidacy has gained the most support among EU capitals. His supporters point out that the position of European Council president already entails representing the bloc's leaders at the international level.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has voiced support for Costa. The candidacy has also been backed by the leaders of Poland and Luxembourg, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had no objections to it.
Another option is EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. However, her candidacy is controversial because of her tough stance on Russia. Some diplomats believe this would complicate negotiations with the Kremlin, while others consider such a reputation an advantage.
Why France and Germany oppose a single representative
According to Politico's sources, Paris and Berlin are unlikely to support a decision that would grant EU institutions the exclusive right to represent Europe in the negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for maintaining the participation of individual countries.
"We are also working together on this task with five representatives — from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Poland. I see absolutely no problem with keeping it that way," he said.
At the same time, Michal stressed that bilateral contacts between individual countries and Moscow should not interfere with the EU's common position on decisions affecting the entire continent.
Will a representative be chosen today?
A senior EU official told the outlet that the official appointment of an envoy at the November 13 meeting was unlikely. However, leaders may move closer to a common understanding of how Europe should be represented in the negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously urged European partners to decide on a representative by the end of the month.
"I think that in November, not later, we need to accept who will represent Europe in negotiations," he said.
Talks between representatives of Ukraine, the US, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. European countries did not take part directly in the trilateral meetings, but the Ukrainian side held parallel consultations with its partners.
After that, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and then with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin.
According to Witkoff, the Russian side had agreed to European participation in the next round of talks. However, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov did not publicly confirm this.
Zelenskyy insists that Europe must take part in discussions on future security arrangements, since Russia's objectives concern not only Ukraine but also the security architecture of the entire continent.
