European leaders agree on negotiating team for Russia-Ukraine peace talks

European leaders reached an agreement in Dublin on November 14, 2026, to form a negotiating team for future Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations. This team will include five major powers—Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom—alongside representatives from European Union institutions. The decision follows summits held in Dublin on November 13 and 14, 2026.

Negotiation team structure

The newly established negotiating team will consist of representatives from the five major European powers and various European Union institutions. National security advisers from Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from the European Union, will participate in upcoming technical-level conversations. This structure aims to ensure a coordinated European approach to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European leaders to ensure Europe remains a permanent participant in the negotiations. European Council President Antonio Costa stated that Europe must speak with one clear and united voice in discussions shaping the future of Ukraine and continental security. This stance addresses concerns that the United States and Russia might negotiate the future of European security without European involvement.

Security declaration and Kremlin response

During the summits in Dublin, leaders from 40 European countries signed a declaration asserting that any issue affecting European security must involve Europeans. The Kremlin stated it has no objection to European participation in peace talks, provided the participants intend to contribute to achieving peace. However, the Kremlin requested that discussions regarding a new European security architecture occur before addressing specific war-related issues.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected the request from the Kremlin to discuss security architecture as a prerequisite. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that European security architecture already exists. The Chancellor added that there will be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, and no talks about Europe without Europe.

Previous diplomatic efforts

The agreement in Dublin follows previous diplomatic engagements involving United States officials. US envoys Vitkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, following previous talks held in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, 2026. These meetings occurred as international efforts to establish a framework for peace continue to evolve.

While the Kremlin has expressed openness to European involvement on the condition that they seek peace, the specific nature of these discussions remains a point of diplomatic focus. The involvement of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland is intended to provide a unified European front in the upcoming technical-level conversations regarding the conflict.

Glossary

• European Council — The European Council is an entity to which European Union citizens/residents have the right to access all governmental documents. It is one of the bodies mentioned in the context of transparency within the European Union.