Europe seeks unified envoy for Ukraine peace talks as leaders fail to agree

European nations are seeking a unified envoy to represent them in Ukraine peace talks, fearing a U.S.-backed process will sideline them as Moscow and Washington decide the conflict's fate. Leaders debated the proposal Friday at an EU summit in Dublin, but no consensus has been reached. The role's scope remains unclear, though governments from the U.K. to Ukraine broadly agree Europe must join negotiations involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington. Ukraine wants European backup, distrusting the U.S. administration's perceived lean toward Russia. Russia opposes European involvement, while leaders like France's Emmanuel Macron insist Europe must define its own security future. Potential candidates include European Council President Antonio Costa, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advocates a single authoritative voice, criticizing uncoordinated freelance diplomacy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Europe must first name a representative, noting Europeans "squabble like spiders in a jar."