European Union leaders are unlikely to reach a decision at the informal Dublin summit to appoint a single special representative for negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine. An official EU spokesperson stated this during a briefing on Wednesday, November 11, adding that no such decision is expected this Friday, November 13. A similar assessment was previously given to DW by a source close to the summit's preparations.
"My answer is no, I do not expect it"
"If you are asking if I expect an agreement on the appointment of a special representative to be reached, my answer is no, I do not expect it," the official EU spokesperson said. According to him, European Council President António Costa will provide leaders with an opportunity to express their views on Europe's role in the negotiations, taking into account the results of the meetings in Abu Dhabi. Notably, EU and European representatives did not participate in the trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. "I think there may come a point when Europeans need to speak directly with the Russian side. There are issues that may need to be resolved between us and Russia," the representative noted without specifying when exactly that might happen.
A long road to a unified position
The question of appointing a special representative has been under discussion in the EU for over a year. As the spokesperson reported, Costa began consultations with all 27 EU leaders regarding a possible special representative appointment back in early 2025. Later, the issue was submitted to the European Council for discussion, but no consensus was reached. In June 2026, leaders confirmed that on matters falling under EU competence, the organization is represented by its institutions in accordance with the founding legislation. This phrasing essentially cemented existing practice, providing no momentum for the creation of a separate negotiator role.
Abu Dhabi: Consultations without EU participation in the trilateral track
On November 10 in Abu Dhabi, representatives from the European Commission, European Council, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and NATO first held consultations with the Ukrainian delegation. A second meeting followed with the participation of the United States. Both sessions were held ahead of the trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, in which European institutions did not participate directly. According to the EU spokesperson, these outcomes will form the basis for the discussion in Dublin.
Dublin: Two summits and a visit from US mediators
The ninth summit of the European Political Community will take place in Dublin on November 12, with leaders from 27 EU nations and their partners invited. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she expects to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Irish capital this week. On Friday, November 13, an informal EU summit will be held, with an agenda including the progress of peace negotiations on Ukraine and the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening Europe's competitiveness. US presidential special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who acted as mediators in the Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, are also planning to arrive in Dublin. A meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled for them in the Irish capital.
What this means for the negotiation process
The absence of a single European negotiator against the backdrop of active American mediation highlights an asymmetry of roles: the US is represented in the trilateral track by two high-ranking mediators, while the EU is limited to consultations on the periphery. However, the EU official did not rule out that, in the long term, the European side might enter into direct dialogue with Russia on issues that cannot be resolved solely within the "Ukraine-US-Russia" format. Nevertheless, specific timelines and the format for such a dialogue have not been determined at this time.
