MEPs urge EU leaders to appoint one negotiator for Ukraine peace talks

A group of MEPs is urging EU leaders to appoint a single negotiator for future Ukraine peace talks, arguing that Europe needs a unified voice as discussions take shape. The appeal was initiated by Dutch MEP Reinier van Lanschot of Volt ahead of a leaders’ meeting on Friday.

The proposed representative would act with the agreement of the EU, its member states and the European members of the coalition of the willing, according to a letter addressed to EU leaders, European Council president António Costa and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Ireland holds the EU’s rotating presidency until January.

“The absence of a single European negotiator is already leading to unfavourable developments,” the letter says. It calls for a “clear European negotiating mandate” to follow.

MEPs from the centre-right European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats, the liberal Renew group and the Greens signed the appeal. It is a call for EU leaders to agree on a representative; the article does not report that one has been appointed. Earlier on Friday, the Kremlin said it was open to positive European involvement in peace talks.