EU Leaders Clash Over Who Should Negotiate With Russia

European leaders are divided over which official should represent the EU in any future peace talks with Russia. At a recent summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and German politician Friedrich Merz criticised European Council President Antonio Costa for contacting Moscow through his chief of staff, while other states such as Denmark and the Netherlands backed Costa’s approach. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned that “the first question is whether Putin wants to negotiate… until then no one other than Costa can represent the EU.”

Analysts say the dispute reflects fears that a secret Trump‑Putin arrangement could sideline Europe, and names such as Macron, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have been floated as possible negotiators. The debate highlights broader tensions within the EU about the appropriate channel for dialogue with Russia and the bloc’s role in ending the war in Ukraine.