EU leaders are preparing for possible talks with Russian leader Putin. They are disappointed with the negotiations led by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine.
European Council President António Costa believes that the European Union has the opportunity to hold negotiations with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also supports this.
Costa spoke with the leaders of the 27 EU member states. They sought to find the best way to organize action and understand exactly what to discuss with Russia.
Costa said that Zelensky asked last month to be ready to assist in negotiations. This took place during the EU leaders' meeting in Cyprus.
Many European leaders are concerned because the US-led negotiations are not successful. Additionally, the EU is in a precarious situation where they may be forced to agree to a bad deal.
Costa said that the EU will not interfere with the process led by Trump. He also acknowledged that there have been no signs from the Kremlin that Putin is ready to talk with EU representatives.
An anonymous representative from the Ukrainian Presidential Office said that more cooperation is needed at the EU level. He suggested that the EU should choose a leader who can speak on behalf of all Europeans with Russia.
Among the 27 EU leaders, there is no agreement yet on who should be the negotiator. Nor has it been decided when they should begin or what to offer Putin.