World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
European leaders struggle to agree on negotiator for Russia talks
European leaders are struggling to agree on who should negotiate with Russia about Ukraine.
A senior European diplomat described efforts to contact Vladimir Putin as a free-for-all, with too many leaders seeking the role.
France supports dialogue, while Germany and the UK are taking a more cautious position.
Moscow says it is ready for talks with European countries on a European security arrangement that respects all parties’ interests.
Putin has also agreed with the US position that Ukraine’s and Russia’s future security requires discussion of the wider European security system.
Russia says it will monitor developments over the coming days.
European leaders are struggling to agree on who should negotiate with Russia about Ukraine.
A senior European diplomat told The Guardian that efforts to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin were starting to feel like a “free-for-all.”
RBC reported that leaders are competing for the role and that attempts by individual countries to contact Putin have caused disagreements.
France supports dialogue, while Germany and the United Kingdom are cautious, RBC reported.
Moscow has said it is ready to discuss European security with European countries.
- Who
- European leaders are seeking a negotiator. Russia is the proposed counterpart.
- What
- European countries are struggling to agree on a negotiator for talks with Russia about Ukraine.
- When
- October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Europe; the proposed talks would be with Moscow.
- Why
- Leaders differ over outreach to Putin, and some are competing to take the negotiating role.
France
Germany and the United Kingdom
Dialogue
France
France supports dialogue with Moscow.
Germany and the United Kingdom
Germany and the United Kingdom take a cautious position.
Putin agreed with the US position that discussions on the future security of Ukraine and Russia required addressing European security architecture.
Reports described European leaders’ efforts to agree on a negotiator as chaotic and marked by disagreements.
- Proposed talks
- Russia and European countries
- Topic
- Ukraine and European security
- France
- Supports dialogue
- Germany and United Kingdom
- Cautious position
- Monitoring
- Putin said Russia would monitor developments over the coming days
4 sources
European countries fear being sidelined in Russia–Ukraine peace talks but can’t agree on how to secure a seat at the table, FT reports
Guardian рассказала о «хаосе» в ЕС при поиске переговорщика с Москвой
European attempts to choose negotiator for talks with Russia descend into chaos — media
What people are saying
There is an agreement overall that we need to talk to Putin, but the outreach is starting to feel like a free-for-all
Too many leaders believe they can be the one to get Putin to negotiate