VDe Vector

Five countries and EU to represent Europe in Ukraine talks

The European representation is intended to prevent Washington and Moscow deciding the continent’s future without European input.

There is news on this story (Saturday, 14 November 2026, 13:00): Ukraine and Russia discuss exchange of thousands of prisoners

Follow-up to: Europe may join next Ukraine talks Friday, 13 November 2026, 01:49

Europe is sending a team of representatives to the next talks on the war in Ukraine. Alongside the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland will take part, EU Council President António Costa announced on Friday after consultations in Dublin.

The agreement is a new step in a diplomatic process in which European countries have so far feared being sidelined. The United States is mediating between Russia and Ukraine, while European governments point out that any eventual agreement would have direct consequences for their security, borders and defence.

Costa said Europe would be represented in the talks by the EU and five countries from the so-called coalition of the willing. They are the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland. Europe is therefore opting not for a single envoy, but for a delegation in which both the EU and important national governments have a place.

The composition reflects a debate that has occupied the European summit in Dublin for days. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Costa had pointed out that, in their roles, they could represent the European Union. Other leaders, including Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, felt that non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom should also be involved.

The Ukrainian government wants European allies at the table because European countries are providing military and financial support to Ukraine and could ultimately play an important role in security guarantees. Russia, by contrast, opposes direct European participation and says European countries are parties to the conflict because they support Ukraine.

The agreement does not mean that a peace deal or ceasefire is already in place. According to AP, talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States have produced no breakthrough on the main points of dispute. The European delegation is, however, intended to give Europe influence over the terms of any eventual agreement and the future security order in Europe.

For the Netherlands, the development is particularly relevant because the European position on support for Ukraine, sanctions and security cannot be determined in Washington or Moscow alone. At the same time, it remains unclear who will speak on behalf of the delegation and how much room for negotiation the five countries will each have. The agreement is therefore primarily an institutional step, not a substantive result of the peace talks.

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