European Council President António Costa has agreed to discuss the European Union’s role in Ukraine peace talks in Dublin on Nov. 13, the Kyiv Independent and EUNews reported, as Italy presses for common representation.
The reported exchange leaves the proposed role open. Costa said EU participation should let the bloc deliver a “clear and unified message,” the Kyiv Independent reported. EUNews separately reported that Costa agreed to find a way to discuss the request. Neither account says he committed leaders to select an envoy or approve a negotiating mandate.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants EU governments to settle who would represent the bloc and what authority that person would have in any peace talks. She asked for a Dublin discussion to prepare for a possible decision at the December European Council after consulting the United Kingdom, Norway and other European partners, the Kyiv Independent and ANSA reported. Meloni argued competing diplomatic channels could weaken Europe’s standing, according to the Kyiv Independent.
The European Commission confirmed that Meloni’s letter was sent to all European Council members, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to chief spokesperson Paula Pinho. At a Nov. 6 briefing, Pinho said the Commission agreed Europe should take part in the talks and be “united, coherent and determined” in defending its interests and supporting Ukraine.
The official invitation to the Nov. 13 Dublin meeting, published by Costa on Nov. 3, lists artificial intelligence as its focus and does not mention Ukraine. The Commission said its Nov. 4 reconstruction talks included delegations from Ukraine, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, NATO and the World Bank; it also said its and Council representatives joined a NATO-hosted discussion on security guarantees.
The correspondence points toward a discussion in Dublin on Nov. 13, followed by a possible decision at the December European Council, but neither step confirms that the bloc will appoint an envoy.
