European Union leaders clashed in Brussels Thursday night after European Council President António Costa was revealed to have opened low-level diplomatic contact with Russia, sparking accusations of an “uncoordinated” and “unprofessional” move.
The outreach, described by EU officials as “brief contacts at diplomatic level in recent weeks,” was meant to establish communication channels ahead of possible peace negotiations on Ukraine.
No substantive talks or negotiations have taken place, officials stressed.
—“An affront,” Germany says—
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German government sources slammed Costa’s move as an “affront” and “uncoordinated.”
Diplomatic relations between Brussels and Moscow have been frozen since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and badly strained since the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
“The goal was to be ready, when the right moment comes, to defend the EU’s interests,” an EU official said, defending the contact as “diplomats doing diplomatic work.”
—Split reactions across capitals—
EU leaders reacted differently. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten warned the timing was off: “So far, we have not seen any real willingness on Putin’s part to enter into serious negotiations. That is where it all starts.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took the opposite view: “We are, of course, ready and open to supporting any attempt that can be made to achieve peace and end the war in Ukraine.”
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker agreed: “I’ve always said that I’m in favour of dialogue, of opening channels of communication because every peace starts with dialogue.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attending the summit as a guest, said he did not know many details about the contact.
—EU backs Ukraine, extends sanctions—
Despite the split over Russia, all 27 EU leaders adopted a joint statement supporting Ukraine unanimously for the first time in over a year. They also agreed to extend economic sanctions on Russia from six to 12 months.
The bloc urged “Russia to show genuine willingness regarding peace, agree to a full, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.”
“Europe has a key role to play in a future settlement and stands ready to defend its interests,” the leaders declared.
Zelensky briefed leaders on battlefield developments in his first Brussels visit since Hungary’s Viktor Orbán lost office, removing Budapest’s veto on EU aid and Ukraine’s accession talks.
Leaders now turn to the EU’s next 2028-2034 budget, estimated at €1 trillion to €2 trillion, and to competitiveness challenges and trade tensions with China.
