European leaders discuss Ukraine negotiation representation in Dublin

At the European Political Community summit in Dublin on November 12, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged for Europe to have a permanent seat in peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy requested increased European support for air defense, energy infrastructure restoration, and resilience planning for Ukrainian cities, while also calling for stricter sanctions against Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that European security is fundamentally linked to peace in Ukraine.

The discussion follows recent talks in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, which concluded without a clear resolution. While European officials—including Bjorn Seibert from the Commission and diplomat Anna Maria Boura from the Council—were present in the UAE, they did not hold direct talks with the Russian side. Conversely, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held substantive and detailed meetings with President Vladimir Putin.

Following their engagement with the Russian leadership, Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to travel to Dublin to brief President Zelenskyy. The summit has highlighted divisions among European leaders regarding which specific institution or figure should represent the EU in future direct dialogues with Russia.