Europe picks multi-nation team for Ukraine peace talks

European leaders selected a multi-person negotiating team for Ukraine peace talks at an EU summit in Dublin on Friday, rejecting a single representative approach. The team comprises EU institutions and the E5 nations: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom. European Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc must act in "full unity" and that only Ukraine has legitimacy to decide on its territory and sovereignty. The decision overrides a 2024 mandate that gave EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas the representative role, though she argued Russia opposes her because she is "too strong." Costa defended the collective approach, noting the US has two envoys and Ukraine has several representatives, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed leaders decide who represents them. The summit also welcomed diplomatic efforts to bring Russia to negotiations.