Europe to send diplomat team to Ukraine talks as leaders seek a voice

Europe will send a team of diplomats from the EU and five countries to the next round of Ukraine talks, a top EU official said Friday, aiming to avoid being sidelined in US-led negotiations to end the nearly five-year war. European Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc and the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland will be represented. Leaders fear a US-backed process will leave them and Kyiv vulnerable, distrusting President Trump to negotiate on their behalf after tense standoffs over trade and other issues. The decision to send a team, rather than a single envoy as Russia demanded, allows participation from the "coalition of the willing." EU diplomat Kaja Kallas claimed the envoy role Friday, while leaders cited fears of another "Anchorage moment" ahead of Trump's meeting with Putin in Beijing.