In brief: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Europe’s fragmented approach to Ukraine peace negotiations, warning that overlapping diplomatic initiatives undermine the bloc’s credibility. She called for a single EU representative with a clear negotiating mandate, while European Council President António Costa agreed to raise the issue with EU leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Thursday, Nov. 5, that Europe risked becoming irrelevant in negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine unless EU leaders agreed on a single representative authorized to speak for the bloc.
In a letter to European Council President António Costa, Meloni criticized overlapping diplomatic initiatives involving European governments, Ukraine, the US and NATO.
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She warned that Europe’s disorganized approach was weakening its credibility and benefiting those seeking to prolong the war.
“Otherwise, I fear we risk condemning Europe to irrelevance in the negotiating process,” she wrote.
Meloni urges single EU representative
Meloni cited recent meetings in Miami, Oslo and Brussels, as well as direct contacts between Nordic leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She also questioned Europe’s unclear representation at upcoming US-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
The Italian leader demanded that EU governments decide who should negotiate on their behalf and what authority that representative would hold.
Meloni said she was not seeking the role for herself or Italy but opposed commitments being negotiated without an agreed mandate.
She asked leaders to discuss the proposal at their Nov. 13 summit in Dublin and formally decide on representation in December, following consultations with Britain, Norway and other partners.
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Costa agrees to discuss proposal
Costa responded that Europe needed to act with “coherence, unity and determination,” according to a report by ANSA.
He agreed to include the issue in the Dublin summit discussions but stressed that EU interests must be represented by its institutions under the bloc’s treaties.
Meloni had previously called for a single European envoy to Ukraine peace negotiations, arguing that multiple diplomatic channels weakened Europe’s position.
Her renewed demand comes as Washington prepares to host trilateral negotiations with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11, while European governments seek a greater role in shaping any settlement.
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