EU seeks seat at Ukraine-Russia peace talks as US prepares to resume negotiations

Brussels pushes for multilateral format to counter Washington's shift towards Moscow

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The European Union is pressing for a direct role in peace talks to end Russia's war on Ukraine, aiming to turn the current trilateral format involving the US, Ukraine and Russia into a multilateral process with European representation. The move comes as Washington prepares to resume technical-level talks in November after its midterm elections, following a months-long stalemate triggered by the US war on Iran.

European Commission deputy chief spokesperson Arianna Podestà said on Friday that the EU expects to be represented at the next round of discussions. "Now, there is an expectation that there will be a multilateral-level discussion with representatives at senior official level, and the EU will be present at these talks," Podestà said. She added that the bloc should be represented jointly by the European Commission and the European Council, and left the door open to direct meetings with Russian officials. "Beyond that, I don't have other elements to share," she said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not outright reject European participation, a shift from Moscow's previous position. "Nothing can be ruled out a priori," Peskov said. However, he stressed that the next round, scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, would remain trilateral.

The peace process stalled in February after the US launched its war on Iran, diverting diplomatic attention to the Middle East. The last rounds of talks involving Ukraine, Europe and the US took place in Miami and later Oslo. Those discussions included only Björn Seibert, chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; the head of cabinet to European Council President António Costa was not invited.

European capitals have been alarmed by US President Donald Trump's recent moves, including a diesel supply deal with Russia and eased sanctions, which Brussels views as a tilt in Moscow's favour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European leaders to establish their own diplomatic channel with Russia. Costa earlier opened a line of communication with Moscow but the initiative yielded no results. EU leaders discussed appointing a special envoy at their last summit without reaching consensus; Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who co-hosted the Oslo talks, has re-emerged as a possible candidate. Moscow said it could accept Stubb as an intermediary provided he did not "parrot" the European position, a condition unlikely to sit well with the Finnish president, a staunch Ukraine supporter.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The outcome of these talks will determine whether Europe gains direct influence over the terms of any settlement with Russia, rather than being presented with a fait accompli by Washington.
A shift to multilateral format could alter the balance of power in negotiations, potentially giving Ukraine additional diplomatic backing but also complicating decision-making.
If the EU is excluded again, transatlantic tensions may deepen, especially as US policy appears to be moving closer to Moscow's positions.

Background

The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has seen repeated attempts at peace talks, with the US acting as the primary mediator since late 2024. Earlier rounds in Miami and Oslo focused on security guarantees, sanctions and post-war recovery. The process collapsed in February 2026 when the US launched a war on Iran, redirecting its diplomatic resources. Since then, Washington has struck deals with Moscow, including a diesel supply agreement and sanctions relief, alarming European allies who see the EU as a necessary counterweight. The EU has criticised from the sidelines before, but now seeks a formal seat.

Key Perspectives

European Union: Brussels argues it cannot be left out of talks that will shape European security. The Commission and Council want joint representation to ensure Europe's interests are defended, particularly as Washington's position shifts. Officials acknowledge the bloc has often been blindsided or ignored by the US and hope direct participation will change that. Russia: Moscow has previously rejected European involvement but is now leaving the door open in principle. However, it insists the next round in Abu Dhabi remains trilateral and has set conditions on any potential intermediary, demanding they not simply repeat European positions. Russia has shown no sign of abandoning its maximalist demands. Ukraine: Kyiv welcomes any format at any time, according to the source, but President Zelenskyy has urged Europe to establish its own diplomatic channel with Moscow, suggesting he distrusts Washington's current approach and wants a stronger European backstop.

What to Watch

Whether the November talks in Abu Dhabi include any European representatives, even as observers, or remain strictly trilateral as Russia insists.
The outcome of US midterm elections and whether a change in Congress alters Washington's negotiating stance.
Whether the EU can agree on a special envoy for Ukraine talks, with Alexander Stubb emerging as a possible but contested candidate.
Signs of Russia engaging substantively in peace talks, which EU officials say has yet to happen.

Sources

EU vies to expand role in Ukraine-Russia peace talks to influence US thinking · Euronews

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe EU is seeking a role in peace talks, with Brussels aiming to turn the next trilateral round into a multilateral format with European representation.Euronews: “Brussels wants to turn the next round of trilateral peace talks betwen Ukraine, Russia and the US into a multilateral format with European representation.”
Partly supportedThe US is preparing to resume technical-level negotiations in November after its midterm elections.Euronews: “The United States wants to resume trilateral talks at the technical level in November, after its midterm elections.”
SupportedBrussels is pushing for a multilateral format to counter Washington’s shift towards Moscow.Euronews: “Trump’s decision to strike a diesel supply deal with Putin and ease long-standing sanctions on Russia has alarmed European capitals, reinforcing their view that the EU’s presence at the table is essential as a counterweight to Washington.”
SupportedThe peace process stalled in February after the US launched its war on Iran, shifting diplomatic focus to the Middle East.Euronews: “The peace process stalled in February after the US launched its war on Iran, shifting much of its diplomatic focus to the Middle East.”
SupportedArianna Podestà said on Friday: “Now, there is an expectation that there will be a multilateral-level discussion with representatives at senior official level, and the EU will be present at these talks,”Euronews: ““Now, there is an expectation that there will be a multilateral-level discussion with representatives at senior official level, and the EU will be present at these talks,” European Commission deputy chief spokesperson Arianna Podestà said on Friday.”
SupportedPodestà said the EU should be represented jointly by the European Commission and the European Council.Euronews: “Podestà said the EU should be represented jointly by the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, and the European Council, which represents member states.”
SupportedPodestà left open the possibility of direct meetings between European officials and Russian representatives.Euronews: “Asked whether this could involve European officials meeting Russian representatives face to face, she left the door open.”
SupportedPeskov said: “Nothing can be ruled out a priori,”Euronews: ““Nothing can be ruled out a priori,” Peskov said.”
SupportedPeskov said the next round would take place in a trilateral format in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November.Euronews: ““But these talks we are discussing, which are scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, will take place in a trilateral format.””
Partly supportedThe Miami and Oslo discussions included only Björn Seibert.Euronews: “National security advisers from Germany, France and the UK — the so-called E3 — and NATO attended the Miami talks.”
SupportedTrump’s moves included a diesel supply deal with Russia and eased sanctions.Euronews: “US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike a diesel supply deal with Putin and ease long-standing sanctions on Russia has alarmed European capitals”
SupportedMoscow said it could accept Stubb as an intermediary if he did not “parrot” the European position.Euronews: “Moscow later said it could accept Stubb as an intermediary, provided he did not “parrot” the European position”