EU leaders in Dublin debate who speaks for Europe in peace talks

EU leaders met in Dublin for an informal summit dominated by Ukraine peace talks and the question of who will represent Europe in negotiations, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff at a military base near the city. Zelenskyy confirmed Europe will participate directly in the next round of negotiations, with Kushner stating an agreement cannot be reached without European countries at the table. Zelenskyy warned Europe to pay close attention to Washington-Moscow cooperation and its implications for the continent's security architecture, as 43 countries signed a declaration on European security principles. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a clear EU representative with a mandate for peace talks, while European Council President António Costa emerged as a natural candidate. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also put herself forward, though some leaders view her as too anti-Russia. A final decision may be delayed to a summit later this month.