Costa explains why EU chose a team over a single envoy for Ukraine peace talks

European Council President António Costa explained on 13 November in Dublin, after an informal summit of EU leaders, why Europe will be represented in peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine by a team rather than a single special envoy. The decision shapes how the EU will present itself in future talks aimed at ending the war.

Costa stressed that other participants in the negotiations also field several people. As an example, he pointed to US President Donald Trump's special envoys, saying there is not one but two of them. The Ukrainian delegation, in his estimate, consists of three or four people. In his view, a team format is therefore normal.

Not only on behalf of the EU

The European Council president said the team would represent not just the European Union but also the Coalition of the Willing. According to him, this group of countries plays a crucial role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached.

Costa said all European participants need to be integrated and that the team must speak with one voice. In his words, EU leaders agreed on this and are now working to put it into practice.

The earlier decision

Earlier on 13 November, Costa announced that EU leaders had agreed on the format of Europe's representation in future negotiations. Representatives of EU institutions and of the E5 countries, namely Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland, will take part. Politico reported that the E5 countries would be represented by their national security advisers.