EU leaders split over single envoy for Ukraine peace talks at Dublin summit

European leaders gathered in Dublin failed to agree on a single representative for Ukraine peace negotiations, even as US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Europeans would have a seat at future talks with Russia.

The European Political Community summit of 47 leaders came after Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks in Abu Dhabi and then met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, before flying to Dublin to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Council President Antonio Costa have both been named as possible envoys, but no consensus has emerged. Many national leaders want to attend the talks directly. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that "Ukraine, the Europeans, the Americans, and naturally Russia" must all be represented at the table.

Zelenskyy said European involvement was essential, noting that while Europeans were already involved, "we need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations," though not directly when Russians are present.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had already written a sharp letter to Costa warning that projecting "the image of a Europe that is in disarray" merely serves the interests of those who want the war to continue.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal framed the dilemma starkly, saying that "we are in the [Russian] trap" and questioning whether one should discuss defense with a threat itself.

Underpinning the summit is a financing gap: the European Commission has identified a €70 billion shortfall in EU funding promised to Ukraine's economy. Merz warned he could block the EU's next seven-year budget unless member states agree to cover Ukraine's financing. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has opposed further financial and military support.