EU split over who should negotiate with Putin on Ukraine peace

European leaders are divided on how to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine. EU Council President António Costa argued that the EU must be able to communicate directly with Moscow and kept the initiative open, saying the Union should be ready to send its own messages when the right moment arrives.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron pushed back, insisting that any diplomatic effort should be led by the “E3” – Germany, France and the United Kingdom – in line with Kyiv’s request that these three states retain a central role. Merz warned that the EU must first reach internal agreement before deciding on the format of talks, while Macron emphasized a coordinated European‑British approach. The split was highlighted after Costa’s chief of staff held unsanctioned contacts with Moscow, a move described by the German delegation as “uncoordinated” and “unprofessional.”

The disagreement threatens to undermine the unity displayed at the recent G7 summit, where leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirmed support for a coordinated Ukraine policy. Observers note that continued EU fracturing could weaken its collective bargaining power with Russia and delay any negotiated settlement.