In a significant diplomatic push, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, aiming to broker a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine. The meeting comes as European leaders gather in Dublin for an EU summit, where the continent's exclusion from the negotiations has become a point of contention.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a late-night meeting with the US envoys at a military base outside Dublin, ahead of the EU leaders' summit. According to Euronews NATO correspondent Shona Murray, Zelenskyy is seeking to ensure that Ukraine and Europe are not sidelined in any peace deal. The envoy dispute has cast a shadow over the summit, which was also intended to focus on artificial intelligence.
Europe's push for a seat at the table
European leaders have expressed frustration over being excluded from the US-Russia talks, which have so far produced a prisoner swap but no ceasefire. Moscow has downplayed the European role, despite US envoy optimism about progress. The Moscow's dismissive stance has only intensified calls from Brussels and national capitals for a more inclusive process.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both insisted that any lasting peace must involve European security guarantees. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that "no agreement on Ukraine can be made without Ukraine and without the European Union." The sentiment was echoed by leaders in Warsaw and the Baltic states, who fear that a deal negotiated without their input could undermine NATO's eastern flank.
Economic headwinds and the Draghi report
Beyond the diplomatic maneuvering, Europe's economic challenges remain a pressing concern. Mateusz Szczurek, head of the IMF's European Department, joined the program to discuss the continent's sluggish growth, rising public debt, and borrowing costs. He noted that the eurozone is facing a "competitiveness crisis" that has been exacerbated by political instability in several member states.
Szczurek pointed to the slow implementation of reforms outlined in the Draghi report, which called for a coordinated industrial policy and greater investment in innovation. "The window for action is narrowing," he said, urging governments to move beyond rhetoric and adopt concrete measures to boost productivity and reduce energy costs.
Nvidia's leadership crisis
In the technology sector, Nvidia is reportedly facing a leadership crisis following the resignation of CEO Jensen Huang, amid allegations linked to an espionage scandal. Andrea Renda, head of research at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), discussed the implications for Europe's tech ambitions. Renda noted that Nvidia's chips are critical for AI development, and any instability at the company could have ripple effects across the global supply chain.
European leaders, who are keen to position the continent as a leader in AI, will be watching closely. The Dublin summit's focus on AI regulation and investment now seems even more timely, as the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on US technology giants.
As the week of diplomacy continues, with further talks in Abu Dhabi on the horizon, the question remains whether Europe can secure a meaningful role in shaping the future of Ukraine and the broader European security order. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the US and Russia are willing to include European voices in the negotiation process.
