# EU leaders tussle over Ukraine peace talks envoy

> European leaders clash over who represents them at Ukraine peace talks with Russia.
- Title: EU leaders tussle over Ukraine peace talks envoy · Dw
- Summary: European leaders clash over who represents them at Ukraine peace talks with Russia.
- Keywords: eu leaders, ukraine peace talks, russia, steve witkoff, jared kushner, vladimir putin, volodymyr zelenskyy, kaja kallas, antonio costa, german chancellor, friedrich merz, italian prime minister
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/eu-leaders-tussle-over-who-to-send-to-ukraine-russia-peace-talks/a-79935468?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eu leaders, ukraine peace talks, russia, steve witkoff, jared kushner, vladimir putin, volodymyr zelenskyy, kaja kallas, antonio costa, german chancellor, friedrich merz, italian prime minister
## EU leaders pressure for Ukraine envoy
European leaders face pressure to choose a single representative for Ukraine peace talks after US envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Europeans will attend.

> The summit of 47 European leaders in Dublin comes in the wake of a diplomatic tour by two Donald Trump administration advisers, the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, to talks in Abu Dhabi, followed by a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
## Kaja Kallas' frustration
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded with a wry, ironic laugh when asked why Europe should only get one seat at the table while the US gets two.

> When asked by DW during the European Political Community summit in Dublin why Europe should only get one seat at the table while the US gets two, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded with a wry, ironic laugh ― clearly a sign of the frustration felt by European leaders about being sidelined thus far.
## European division on envoy
European leaders are split over who should represent them at peace talks, with many wanting to attend themselves.

> As yet, the EU hasn’t been able to land on one central figure to send ― many of the national leaders want to be present themselves.
## Zelenskyy's stance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists Europeans must be part of peace talks but not yet when Russians are at the table.

> Not directly yet, and not yet when the Russians are at the table," he told the other leaders during the Dublin meetings. "But Europeans are already involved. And we need to make sure that Europe becomes a regular part of these negotiations.
## Italian Prime Minister's letter
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote an excoriating letter to EU Council President Antonio Costa about Europe's lack of unity.

> By projecting the image of a Europe that is in disarray, we are merely serving the interests of those who want this war to continue," wrote Meloni.
## Putin's security demands
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Europe's security structure could be altered in exchange for a seat at peace talks.

> What do we hear from them [Europeans]?
## Funding crisis for Ukraine
The EU faces a €70 billion funding gap for Ukraine as leaders debate how to support the country amid the war.

> Back in October, the European Commission identified a €70 billion hole in the EU’s funding it had promised for Ukraine’s economy.
## Key takeaway

EU leaders cannot agree on a single representative for Ukraine peace talks with Russia, risking their influence in negotiations.