European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders during a closed-door summit in Brussels on Thursday that the bloc should begin considering a formal mandate for negotiations with Russia on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the European Council meeting, von der Leyen emphasised that while the EU must be ready for dialogue, Ukraine must remain in the driving seat of any diplomatic process, Euronews has confirmed.
Sanctions and Shifting Battlefield Dynamics
Von der Leyen pointed to economic indicators showing that the Russian economy is running out of steam, with inflation rising, as evidence that EU sanctions are working. She also noted that the tide of the war is turning in Ukraine’s favour, describing the change in battlefield dynamics as remarkable. Her comments came amid a broader discussion on the EU’s strategy towards Moscow, with several member states, particularly on the eastern flank, urging a tougher line.
The call for a negotiating mandate follows a controversial diplomatic move by European Council President António Costa, who earlier this week instructed his chief of staff to establish a channel with the Kremlin. Costa’s office reached out to Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, without consulting all 27 member states. Von der Leyen was informed before the call, but many leaders learned of the outreach only through media reports on Wednesday.
Divisions Among Member States
The revelation sparked pushback at the summit, with eastern European countries insisting that now is not the time for engagement with Moscow. Instead, they argued, the EU must intensify sanctions to force Putin into real concessions. Costa defended his actions, stressing that he had not initiated formal negotiations but merely opened a diplomatic line in line with the EU’s institutional framework.
Several leaders indicated that Costa has a mandate on issues such as sanctions, enlargement, and frozen Russian assets, but matters related to security guarantees fall under the purview of individual member states. As a result, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, led by France and the UK, should take the lead in those talks. Costa added that no single EU representative could negotiate on territory on behalf of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s Position
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that Kyiv will not cede any territory it currently controls. He has, however, urged European leaders to prepare for eventual talks with Putin, insisting that the EU must be at the table alongside Ukraine. During Thursday’s discussion, Zelenskyy stressed that the only way to end the war is to weaken Russia, and that a ceasefire without security guarantees would be insufficient for Ukraine.
The debate comes as the EU continues to grapple with the broader implications of the war, including the need for a unified strategy on Russia. The bloc’s approach remains fragmented, with some member states pushing for a more hawkish stance while others advocate for diplomatic openings. The European Commission’s push for a negotiating mandate signals a potential shift in strategy, though significant hurdles remain.
For more on the ongoing conflict, see our coverage of Russian Drone Barrage Hits Kyiv and Mykolaiv, Sparking Major Fires and Russian Drone Barrage Hits Kharkiv Residential Area as Attacks Intensify.
