António Costa, president of the European Council, has defended his decision to establish a diplomatic channel with Russia to explore the feasibility of peace negotiations, which his team currently deems unviable. The development came to light during Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels, sparking debates over timing, coordination, and strategic alignment among member states.
Costa’s move, described as unconventional given his focus on EU unity, involved secret talks led by his chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, with a senior aide to Vladimir Putin—reportedly Yuri Ushakov. While no substance was exchanged, the initiative aimed to preemptively position the EU to defend its interests when opportunities arise, according to an EU official.
The summit highlighted sharp divides: Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, and Bulgaria endorsed the outreach, with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša urging steps toward ending hostilities. Conversely, Poland, Baltic states, and Nordic nations opposed the initiative, advocating for E3 (Germany, France, UK) leadership. Costa acknowledged limited pre-emptive consultations, citing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s push for Europe’s amplified role in peace talks.
EU leaders’ final conclusions, however, referenced only a commitment to “step up engagement” without addressing the channel’s origins. Some member-state diplomats expressed post-facto support, while others criticized the lack of prior coordination. The split underscores enduring rifts over Europe’s approach to Russia, with costs and risks of direct engagement debated amid ongoing conflict.
