EU Leaders Divided on Engaging Russia Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

WHO:

AP News - European Council President António Costa chaired the summit.

AP News - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported Costa's approach.

AP News - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need for Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and the U.S. to conduct peace negotiations.

AP News - French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europeans are not mediators in the negotiations.

AP News - Margus Tsahkna, foreign minister of Estonia, expressed that Europe should not act as a neutral mediator.

AP News - Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever joked about sending Costa to Moscow.

AP News - Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed trust in Costa's approach.

AP News - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš noted the leaders failed to resolve their differences.

Euronews - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Kyiv will not give up territories it controls.

WHAT:

AP News - EU leaders could not agree on establishing a back-channel with Moscow.

AP News - Costa proposed to reach out to the Kremlin to open communications.

AP News - Costa clarified that the EU would not seek to mediate negotiations.

AP News - Von der Leyen stated that sanctions are effective and the Russian economy is struggling.

Euronews - Von der Leyen suggested the EU should consider a negotiating mandate for peace talks.

Euronews - Zelenskyy reiterated that a ceasefire without security guarantees is insufficient for Ukraine.

WHERE:

AP News - The summit took place in Brussels.

Euronews - The discussions occurred during a closed-door meeting with EU leaders.

WHY:

AP News - Costa aimed to ensure the EU's interests are protected in potential negotiations.

AP News - Von der Leyen emphasized the need for Europe to be an architect of a just and lasting peace.

Euronews - Zelenskyy stressed the need to weaken Russia to end the war.

HOW:

AP News - Costa instructed his chief of staff to initiate a diplomatic channel with the Kremlin.

Euronews - Costa opened a diplomatic line without initiating formal negotiations.

(UPDATED June 20, 2026 04:21 UTC)

In a closed-door summit in Brussels, European Council President António Costa led discussions among EU leaders, who struggled to agree on establishing a back-channel with Moscow. While Costa proposed reaching out to the Kremlin to open communications, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly stated that Kyiv will not surrender any territories it controls and emphasized that a ceasefire without security guarantees is insufficient for Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the importance of peace negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, Europe, and the U.S., while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia's struggling economy.