Europe hesitates to choose representative for Ukraine-Russia negotiations
Photo: European leaders at the European Political Community meeting in Dublin (Getty Images)
European leaders agree that they want a seat at the negotiating table between Russia and Ukraine. However, they have yet to agree on who exactly should occupy it, according to Bloomberg.
Europe chooses a negotiator
The issue of selecting a European representative for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine dominated discussions in Dublin on November 12. More than 50 leaders arrived for the European Political Community summit, where they are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the publication, European leaders have not come close to making a decision on this matter. Most avoid giving a direct answer, merely stating that a decision is necessary.
Some supported EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and European Council President António Costa - the highest-ranking EU representative according to diplomatic protocol. Others believe that perhaps several individuals should represent the bloc.
“This chaos is our own fault," said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša.
EU leaders will consider this issue more directly on Friday during their own summit in Dublin.
Background
Europe has been grappling with this question since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Initially, several countries doubted whether it was worth talking to Russian leader Vladimir Putin at all. Later, the United States took the initiative on all contacts with Russia.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that it was a huge mistake to outsource diplomacy to others.
Currently, the stance of European countries has shifted. Costa himself has addressed Moscow on behalf of the EU. Recently, the leaders of Norway and Finland established their own direct channels of communication with Putin.
What’s next
On November 10-11, the US, Russia, and Ukraine held trilateral talks for the first time since February. Zelenskyy insists that progress can be achieved in the coming months.
Zelenskyy will meet with Witkoff and Kushner in Dublin on Thursday evening to hear their account of the meeting with Putin.
“We are waiting for more details and Europe needs to pay close attention. We need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations," Zelenskyy told European leaders.
Zelenskyy called for a decision on appointing a representative from the European Parliament this month.
However, European leaders remain hesitant about whether Russia is seriously committed to negotiations.
Even if Europe chooses a specific approach, there is no guarantee that Russia will allow it.
“It’s not about individuals now, but about Putin’s willingness to engage in talks," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He added that there is now a clearly growing readiness on the Russian side to acknowledge that one cannot speak about Europe without Europe.
Europe would soon join the peace negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia regarding the end of the war. This was stated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
He emphasized that a technical meeting in an expanded format would take place with the participation of Ukraine, the US, Russia, and Europe.
Furthermore, the European Union is unlikely to make a decision on appointing a single special envoy for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Dublin.
Consultations on the possible appointment of a special representative have been ongoing since the beginning of 2025, but consensus has yet to be reached.
