The European Union has named its representatives to attend possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as Russia's Foreign Ministry contradicted a US envoy's statement that President Vladimir Putin had voiced willingness to include Europeans. Zelenskyy said the issue of Starshield satellite access for Ukraine remained unresolved, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked US President Donald Trump not to make surprises at his expected meeting with Putin.
The EU's move comes after nearly five years of Russia's war of aggression, with European and Ukrainian leaders having long insisted on European participation in peace talks. The Trump administration had appeared indifferent, but US envoy Jared Kushner said Thursday that Putin was willing to give European attendance a try.
European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU will take part in future peace talks, jointly representing Europe with France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK. "Europe must speak with one clear voice and united voice in all discussion that shape the future of Ukraine and the security of our continent," Costa said after a European leaders' meeting in Dublin.
However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova directly contradicted Kushner's account. "As far as Russia's Foreign Ministry is aware, the issue was not discussed during the talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow," she told Germany's DPA news agency. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia needs clarity on the EU's "real intentions" before deciding on an expanded format.
The question of who will represent the EU remains unresolved. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she represents Europe in foreign and security policy: “I'm the one who is representing Europe in the foreign and security policy.” She added, “I know that the Russians don't want me, but, you know, do we have a say, who is representing Russia?” Kallas warned that Europe “must not walk into Russian traps” and said a ceasefire was needed before discussing security architecture.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Starshield, the military-grade satellite internet system operated by SpaceX, was facing “systematic restrictions” that made it impossible, in particular, to use interceptors against jet-powered Shaheds. He said connections only worked when devices were moving slower than 161 kilometres per hour. Ukraine first flagged the issues last month after a dispute between Zelenskyy and US President Trump over a US deal allowing more Russian diesel into global markets.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the EU summit, called on Trump to avoid any “surprises” in his meeting with Putin, saying some in Europe feared a “second Anchorage moment.” He said Europe does not need to discuss security arrangements with Russia. Merz also said it was a “given” that Germany would be involved in the next round of talks.
In other developments, overnight drone attacks killed several people in Ukraine and Russia, including a 17-year-old boy in Zaporizhzhia, according to acting regional governor Mykhailo Semikin. A car bomb exploded in Moscow, reportedly targeting a former spokesman for pro-Russia Ukrainian politician Mykola Azarov, who served as prime minister. Media reported the former aide was hospitalised. Russia's Investigative Committee launched an inquiry.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The outcome of peace talks will determine Ukraine's future and European security.
- Starshield restrictions could degrade Ukraine's defence capabilities.
- European unity is being tested as Russia seeks to divide allies.
Background
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and continues into its fifth year. The US and EU have backed Ukraine. Previous peace efforts have stalled. Starshield is a military-grade version of Starlink, critical for Ukrainian communications.
Key Perspectives
- EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas: She represents Europe in foreign and security policy and says Russia does not want "anybody strong" at the table.
- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova: The issue of EU participation was not discussed in talks between Putin and US envoys.
- Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov: Russia needs to understand the EU's "real intentions" before expanding talks.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: Wants no surprises from Trump in meetings with Putin and says Europe already has a security architecture.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Starshield restrictions are hampering military operations.
What to Watch
- The upcoming APEC summit where Trump is expected to meet Putin and Xi Jinping.
- Whether the EU can agree on a single representative for peace talks.
- Whether Starshield access is restored for Ukraine.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe EU has named representatives to attend possible Russia-Ukraine peace talks.DW English: “The EU has named its representatives to attend possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine”
- SupportedRussia’s Foreign Ministry disputed the account that Putin was willing to include Europeans in the talks.DW English: “Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday directly contradicted US envoy Jared Kushner's Thursday statement that President Vladimir Putin had voiced willingness to have European representatives join”
- SupportedKushner said Putin was willing to give European participation a try.DW English: “Russian President Vladimir Putin "is willing to give it a try."”
- SupportedZakharova said the issue of European participation was not discussed during the Moscow talks.DW English: “"As far as Russia's Foreign Ministry is aware, the issue was not discussed during the talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow."”
- SupportedCosta said Europe must speak with one clear and united voice in discussions about Ukraine’s future and the continent’s security.DW English: “"Europe must speak with one clear voice and united voice in all discussion that shape the future of Ukraine and the security of our continent."”
- SupportedThe choice of who will represent the EU remains unresolved.DW English: “The question of who will represent the EU itself remains unresolved.”
- SupportedZelenskyy said Starshield was subject to “systematic restrictions” that made it impossible, in particular, to use interceptors against jet-powered Shaheds.DW English: “The Ukrainian president said on Thursday that Ukraine's military faced new "systematic restrictions" to tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starshield satellite internet. ... "This makes it impossible, in particular, to use interceptors against jet-powered 'Shaheds.'"”
- SupportedZelenskyy said Starshield connections worked only when devices were moving slower than 161 kilometres per hour.DW English: “He said the connections were only working when devices were moving slower than 161 kilometres (100 miles) per hour.”
- SupportedMerz asked Trump not to make surprises concerning Ukraine at his next meeting with Putin.DW English: “German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday asked US President Donald Trump to not make any "surprises" on Ukraine with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.”
- SupportedAn overnight attack on Zaporizhzhia killed a 17-year-old boy, according to acting regional governor Mykhailo Semikin.DW English: “A Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia in the southeast killed a 17-year-old boy, acting regional governor Mykhailo Semikin said.”
- SupportedA car bomb in Moscow reportedly targeted a former spokesman for Mykola Azarov.DW English: “In other news, a car bomb exploded in Russia, targeting a former aide to the pro-Russia Ukrainian politician Mykola Azarov.”
- SupportedMedia reported that the former aide was hospitalised, and Russia’s Investigative Committee launched an inquiry.DW English: “Russia's Investigative Committee has launched an inquiry into the explosion of a car belonging to an exiled Ukrainian political aide in Moscow, media reported. ... According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Zavorotniy was hospitalized.”