In Ukraine peace talks, Europe pushes for a seat at the negotiating table

New Delhi: European countries are seeking a greater role in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war but remain divided over who should represent them. The issue came into focus on Friday after the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met the United States envoys, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner in Ireland.

Zelenskyy announced three outcomes from the meeting in a post on X. These include a major prisoner exchange, greater European participation in diplomacy and preparations for further multilateral meetings. Ukraine is hoping for what could be the largest prisoner exchange since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Zelenskyy said European representatives would have an equal seat at the negotiating table. He thanked the US envoys for their continued engagement and Ireland for hosting the discussions alongside the European Political Community summit.

The meeting came as leaders of the 27-member European Union gathered in Dublin to discuss Europe’s role in the peace process. European governments fear that a settlement negotiated mainly by Washington and Moscow could affect their security without giving them a say in the outcome, Associated Press reported.

The war has raised security concerns across Europe, particularly among countries bordering Russia and Belarus. Leaders want any peace agreement to include security guarantees for Ukraine and prevent further Russian military action.

Europe divided over its representatives

Despite agreeing on the need to participate, European countries have yet to decide who should represent them. Some leaders favour a single envoy, while others support a negotiating team involving European institutions and countries.

Last week, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has backed a single representative. In a letter to EU Council president, Antonio Costa, she argues that separate diplomatic initiatives by individual countries could weaken Europe’s position, the Euro News reported. The Irish prime minister, Micheal Martin, however, said representation should extend beyond the EU to include the United Kingdom and Norway.

European council president; EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas; and Finnish president, Alexander Stubb; are among the names being considered.

Kallas said on Friday that she already represents Europe on foreign and security policy. Costa, meanwhile, called for European countries, the EU and Nato to work together.

France, Germany and the United Kingdom, known as the E3, have been among the most active European participants in discussions on Ukraine. However, an E3 representative could leave smaller countries without a direct voice, particularly those on Europe’s eastern flank.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said at the Dublin summit on Thursday that Europeans must decide their own future security, amid Russia’s push to discuss Europe’s security arrangements in Ukraine peace talks.

Russia has opposed European participation in direct peace negotiations. Moscow has pointed to the military and financial support European countries provide to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said European nations must first identify a representative if they want to join the talks.

The US envoy, Kushner had earlier said that identifying one person to speak for Europe would be a major achievement. Following his meeting with Zelenskyy, he indicated that European representatives would participate in the next round of negotiations.

India’s diplomatic engagement

Meanwhile, India has continued engaging with both Russia and Ukraine to ease tensions. The Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi was discussing the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, grain and energy exports, and possible non-attack arrangements, as RNA Media earlier reported.

These proposals aim to protect trade routes and prevent disruptions to essential supplies. India has also explored the possibility of food corridors to facilitate grain exports through the Black Sea.

The prime minister, Narendra Modi, also recently spoke with Zelenskyy about the conflict and efforts to restore peace. The external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, also held discussions with his counterpart on the diplomatic initiatives.

India has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for a lasting resolution. Its engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv continues as international efforts to end the war enter another phase.