EU vies to expand role in Ukraine-Russia peace talks to influence US thinking
EU seeks seat at Ukraine-Russia talks as Washington prepares new round
Poinews.com – The European Union is pressing to take a more direct role in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, with Brussels hoping that an expected revival of negotiations in November could expand beyond a three-way format involving Kyiv, Moscow and Washington.
The planned discussions are expected to begin at technical level in the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, following the US midterm elections. The United States has expressed interest in restarting the process, Ukraine has indicated it is prepared to participate in any format and at any time, and Russia has said it is “ready in principle”.
For European leaders, the prospect of talks restarting carries particular urgency. They want European institutions represented in discussions that could shape Ukraine’s security, sanctions policy and future reconstruction, while also seeking to influence a US approach that has recently appeared more accommodating toward Moscow.
Brussels pushes for multilateral format
Negotiations lost momentum in February after the United States began its war on Iran, drawing a substantial share of Washington’s diplomatic attention toward the Middle East. EU officials now see a possible return to talks as an opening to turn a trilateral process into a broader multilateral one.
Arianna Podestà, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission, said senior European officials were expected to be involved.
“Now, there is an expectation that there will be a multilateral-level discussion with representatives at senior official level, and the EU will be present at these talks,”
Podestà said the EU’s approach remained focused on strengthening Ukraine’s position and pursuing a peace settlement that is both fair and durable.
“We have always worked to have Ukraine in a position of strength, and we have always worked for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We’re doing so on every occasion.”
She said the European Commission and the European Council should jointly represent the bloc. The Commission is the EU’s executive arm, while the Council represents member states. That proposed arrangement would give both institutions a role in a process with consequences for the Union’s wider security and economic policies.
When asked whether European representatives could eventually meet Russian officials directly, Podestà did not rule it out. She offered no further details beyond the expectation of joint Commission-Council participation.
“At this stage, I wouldn’t have further details to provide. The expectation is that there would be a joint Commission-Council representation that would attend the meetings,”
Moscow insists current plans remain trilateral
The Kremlin has not immediately rejected a future European presence, despite having opposed such participation in earlier periods. However, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov underlined that the Abu Dhabi meeting now being prepared would still proceed as a trilateral engagement.
“Nothing can be ruled out a priori,”
Peskov said, before adding that the talks planned for the first half of November would involve the existing three sides.
It remains uncertain whether both EU institutions will secure places in the room. At previous meetings involving Ukraine, Europe and the United States, representation from Brussels was uneven. The sessions in Miami and later Oslo included Bjoern Seibert, the influential chief of cabinet to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Pedro Lourtie, chief of cabinet to European Council President António Costa, was not invited.
Those meetings also brought together national security advisers from Germany, France and the United Kingdom, commonly known as the E3, as well as NATO. Italy replaced France at the Oslo session. The agenda included possible security guarantees for Ukraine, sanctions directed at Russia and preparations for recovery after the war.
Europe fears being sidelined
European governments have previously found themselves excluded from key exchanges between Washington and Moscow. That history has fuelled concern that an EU request for a larger role may not automatically translate into a meaningful voice in decisions.
The stakes have risen as the United States shifts its posture. President Donald Trump’s decision to pursue a diesel supply agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and to relax longstanding sanctions on Russia has unsettled European capitals. EU officials view a place at the negotiating table as a necessary counterbalance, particularly when questions involving sanctions and Ukraine’s long-term security are under discussion.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged European leaders to build their own channel for diplomatic contact with Moscow. Trump has often criticised Zelenskyy, adding to European anxiety over the direction of US policy and the risk that Ukraine’s interests could be weakened in negotiations without strong European participation.
Costa quietly opened a communication line with Russia earlier this year, but it did not produce results and was later paused. EU leaders revisited the idea of creating a special envoy position during last week’s summit. They did not agree on a candidate, although Finnish President Alexander Stubb has re-emerged as a possible figure after helping host the Oslo talks.
Moscow later indicated that it could accept Stubb as an intermediary if he did not “parrot” Europe’s stance. Such a condition would be difficult for the Finnish leader, who has consistently supported Ukraine.
European diplomats remain sceptical that Russia has abandoned its maximalist demands or shown a genuine readiness to engage constructively. Even so, they argue that Europe cannot remain outside a process that may determine the future security order on the continent. Whether Brussels gains a formal role in November or must keep pushing for one, the next round of diplomacy will test how much influence the EU can exercise alongside the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
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