Taoiseach hosting informal meeting of EU leaders
EU leaders are coordinating their representation for upcoming Ukraine peace talks, though Russia remains hesitant to include European nations. The diplomatic situation remains complex as the US attempts to facilitate a broader dialogue.
Why it matters
The inclusion of European powers in peace negotiations marks a potential shift in the geopolitical strategy to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
EU leaders agreed today that Europe would be represented by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the bloc's institutions at the next Ukraine talks, a senior EU official said.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss deliberations at an EU summit in Dublin, said that Europe could now focus on discussing the content of negotiations with Russia.
The Kremlin earlier said that Europe must show it is ready to contribute to the Ukraine peace process before a decision is made on letting Europeans join the negotiations.
The comment by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggests Russia has not yet committed to including Europeans in the next round of talks, despite US negotiators saying yesterday that President Vladimir Putin had agreed to their participation.
The talks have so far involved Russian, Ukrainian and US officials, who met in Abu Dhabi this week for the first time in nine months.
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