France among five major powers to represent EU in Ukraine talks

The EU and five European countries will send diplomats to the next round of Ukraine peace talks, aiming to ensure Europe has a say in negotiations led by the United States. European leaders fear being sidelined could leave Ukraine and wider European security vulnerable to a settlement shaped by Washington and Moscow.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the team would include EU officials and representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland. The decision follows US-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, which European countries attended nearby but not as participants. European leaders chose a team over a single envoy, despite calls for one representative to present a more unified voice.