European leaders discuss role in peace talks
The summit in Dublin focuses on Europe’s security role alongside fresh talks on Ukraine.
There is news on this story (Saturday, 14 November 2026, 13:00): Ukraine and Russia discuss exchange of thousands of prisoners
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More than forty European countries met in Dublin on Thursday for talks on the security of the continent. The summit is taking place as the United States seeks to launch fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine.
According to AP, the meeting of the European Political Community centres on how Europe can retain influence over negotiations on Ukraine and its own security. Participating countries want decisions on European security not to be taken without Europe, AP reports.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky warned in Dublin of Russian attempts to rewrite the European security order. Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ reports that a statement is being prepared in which European governments will demand a central role.
According to AP, the US envoys who spoke with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow are then expected to travel to Dublin for talks with Zelensky. Putin has said, according to AP, that European troops in Ukraine would be unacceptable to Russia after a possible ceasefire.
The summit therefore does not produce a peace agreement. It does, however, make clear that possible negotiations cannot be conducted solely between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv without consequences for European governments.
For the Netherlands, the meeting is relevant because future agreements on sanctions, military support and European security will also affect the Dutch government and the European Union. The precise content of the announced statement and Europe’s role in further talks remain to be seen.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- More than forty European countries met in Dublin to discuss European security.
- Ukraine was central to the talks.
- The United States is simultaneously seeking to start fresh talks on the war.
- Russia opposes European troops in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire.
Left
Arguments Europe must continue to support Ukraine and must not allow Russia or a changeable US administration to determine its security policy.
Values The international legal order, solidarity and protecting a country under attack.
Consequences This could mean long-term military and financial commitments for European countries.
Centre
Arguments Europe must develop a joint negotiating position while retaining room for diplomacy.
Values Institutional cooperation, feasibility and escalation management.
Consequences A united position could give Europe greater influence, but would require compromises between countries.
Right
Arguments European countries must strengthen their own defences and should not automatically commit to a long-term military presence in Ukraine.
Values National responsibility, deterrence and budgetary discipline.
Consequences Higher European defence spending could reduce dependence on the US, but support could become politically and financially more burdensome.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The reporting is based on AP and RTÉ and distinguishes between the established summit, the announced statement and possible next steps. No peace agreement is presented as an outcome.
- confirmed More than forty European countries met in Dublin. — AP reports that more than forty countries took part. source
- confirmed Zelensky warned of Russian attempts to rewrite the European security order. — RTÉ quotes Zelensky on this. source
- confirmed Putin called European troops in Ukraine unacceptable. — AP reports Putin’s statement according to the US envoys. source
Editor's note
The summit and the statements are current; the announced statement was not yet fully available at the time of publication.Sources
The story so far
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 20:48 European leaders discuss role in peace talks (this article)
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 22:48 Zelensky discusses support and peace talks in Dublin
- Friday, 13 November 2026, 01:49 Europe may join next Ukraine talks
- Friday, 13 November 2026, 19:13 Five countries and EU to represent Europe in Ukraine talks
- Saturday, 14 November 2026, 10:45 Ukraine launches heavy drone attack during peace talks
- Saturday, 14 November 2026, 13:00 Ukraine and Russia discuss exchange of thousands of prisoners
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „dublin oekraïne”
- NU.nl — „dublin oekraïne”
- De Telegraaf — „dublin oekraïne”