Dublin (AFP) – Europe does not need to pick a new envoy for Ukraine-Russia talks, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told AFP on Wednesday, after Kyiv and Washington called on the bloc to choose a representative.

Issued on: 12/11/2026 - 02:09

The topic has taken on greater urgency in Europe following two days of talks in Abu Dhabi on the Ukraine-Russia war, but the issue has divided EU member states.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that Europe should this month choose its representative for talks aimed at ending the war, while US envoy Jared Kusher urged Europe to "identify one person to speak on their behalf" in the negotiations.

Speaking to AFP on the eve of a European leaders' summit in Dublin where the issue is expected to dominate discussions, Michal insisted the matter is settled and that senior leaders in Brussels could participate in talks in line with their portfolios.

"I would say that we already have agreed on the persons," he said.

He named them as Antonio Costa, head of the European Council representing EU member states, and top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas because "she has the role to represent us in the matters of foreign affairs".

They do not enjoy unanimous support. Some European capitals believe Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, is too strong a critic of Russia and President Vladimir Putin to be an envoy for Europe during the negotiations.

But Michal dismissed the idea of taking Putin's preferences into account.

"Too bad! Because we should be represented by the people who are accountable to Europe, not by those who Putin likes," he said.

Peace first

Europe has long sought a seat at the table in any potential peace talks, arguing the security of the continent is also at stake.

Among the names being floated to represent Europe are Finnish President Alexander Stubb -- a golfing buddy of US President Donald Trump -- and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Both held a rare phone call with Putin last month.

Others have suggested a format involving France, Germany, and Britain.

"Everybody has their own view (on) who should be representing who," Michal said.

Even Kushner appears to have understood the difficulty of the task.

"If Europe could identify one person to speak on their behalf, that would be a bigger achievement than getting the Russians to include them in the negotiations," he said.

Trump's son-in-law and envoy Steve Witkoff will separately meet Putin in Moscow and Zelensky in Dublin on Thursday as they seek to seize "openings" from the Abu Dhabi talks this week.

Europe has been rattled by Russia pushing for a review of European security architecture, with the United States also floating a new framework.

EU officials believe the focus should be on ending the nearly five-year war, rather than on its broader security arrangements.

"The peace talks should be about peace and how to achieve just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia on Ukraine's terms," Michal said.

© 2026 AFP

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.