EU establishes negotiation team for Ukraine peace talks

During the informal European Council summit held in Dublin on November 13, 2026, EU leaders finalized the composition of a collective European team tasked with representing the bloc in future peace negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The delegation will consist of representatives from EU institutions alongside a coalition of five nations, referred to as the E5, comprising France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. This diplomatic move follows a recent round of talks in Abu Dhabi, where US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff engaged with Russian President Vladimir Putin to restart stalled dialogue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, participating in the European Political Community summit, emphasized the necessity of a permanent European seat at the negotiation table. He called for increased air defense support, energy infrastructure restoration, and stricter sanctions against Russia. While EU leaders underscored that European security is inextricably linked to peace in Ukraine, High Representative Kaja Kallas stressed that the negotiation process must follow a strict sequence: first a ceasefire, followed by a peace agreement. EU officials confirmed that the newly formed E5 group, acting in coordination with all 27 member states, will represent the bloc's interests through national security advisors in forthcoming sessions.