Estonia wants Costa and Kallas to speak for Europe in Ukraine peace talks
Estonia called for European Council President António Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to represent Europe in Russia-Ukraine negotiations as leaders debate who should have a seat at the table.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told POLITICO that "Europe has already chosen its representatives: Council President António Costa and [High Representative] Kaja Kallas. Both are clearly accountable to EU countries." The matter will be discussed at an informal European Council summit in Dublin on Friday, at the request of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who criticized Europe's approach as "all over the place" and risking prolonged war.
Divided leadership
The question has grown more urgent as U.S.-led peace efforts intensify. Recent three-way talks in Abu Dhabi included Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine, with the EU represented by senior civil servants. Last month, leaders of Finland and Norway spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a rare Europe-Kremlin contact.
I think we should keep Europe united rather than going it alone.
EU institutional role
According to EU law, the bloc is represented by the European Council president. Costa wrote in response to Meloni that "The interests of the European Union must be represented by its institutions, in accordance with the Treaties," suggesting he's willing to take on the role. His head of Cabinet previously contacted Moscow officials, angering some leaders.
Michal argued Costa and Kallas' "mandate comes directly from the Council," eliminating the need for an ad hoc plan to be agreed between member states first. He added: If Russians don't like it, too bad. We should be represented by those we trust and who are accountable to the EU, not by those who Putin likes.
National sovereignty concerns
Not all leaders support EU institutions taking the lead. French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen wants to reduce Brussels' diplomatic role. MEP Fabrice Leggeri from Le Pen's RN party insisted Costa and Kallas cannot speak for France, stating: There is no diplomatic competence for the European Union. We should keep this at the level of our nations. The Dublin summit is unlikely to produce a formal decision but rather an "understanding" among leaders.
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