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

EU leaders meeting in Dublin are focused on who should represent Europe in Ukraine peace talks, overshadowing a planned summit on artificial intelligence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who confirmed Europe will join the next round of negotiations. Zelenskyy warned Europe to monitor US-Russia cooperation, as Moscow seeks a broader security framework restructuring. EU leaders rebuffed this as a diversion, with 43 countries signing a declaration that European security matters must be decided by Europeans. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni pushed for a clear EU representative, while Polish PM Donald Tusk downplayed exclusion concerns. European Council President António Costa is the leading candidate to represent the bloc, though EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has also pitched herself. A final decision may be postponed to a special summit later this month. Ukraine also faces renewed restrictions on Starshield satellite services, hampering air defence efforts.