EU Picks Representatives for Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

The EU has selected its representatives for future negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who announced the decision at a summit in Dublin on Thursday. Kallas stated that European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and herself will represent Europe on security matters, citing clear provisions in EU treaties. She dismissed Russian concerns about the choice, while Luxembourg's Prime Minister and Latvia's Prime Minister voiced support for Costa as the official institutional representative. The announcement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the E3 format involving Germany, France, and Britain, which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocates for. Ukraine and Russia resumed direct talks on November 10 with US mediation, and Merz also urged all EU states to help cover Ukraine's €45 billion funding gap for next year.