Tusk: Europe's role in Ukraine peace talks is "our time"

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on 13 November voiced approval of the deal on how Europe will be represented in negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine. He stressed that both peace in Ukraine and the security of the entire European continent are at stake.

Writing on X, Tusk said that five countries — France, Italy, Poland, Germany and the United Kingdom, together known as the E5 — as well as European institutions will speak for Europe in talks with Russia, Ukraine and the United States. In his words, the security of Poland and of Europe as a whole is on the line. "This is our time," the prime minister added.

What came before

Earlier the same day, European Council President António Costa announced that EU leaders had agreed on the format of Europe's representation in the upcoming negotiations to end the war. Representatives of EU institutions and the E5 countries will take part.

Costa also explained why EU leaders chose to send a team rather than a single representative to the talks. Politico had previously reported that the E5 countries would be represented by their national security advisers.

The source gives no further details on when or where the talks will take place.