European Union leaders meeting in Dublin selected the E5 diplomatic format—comprising Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland, alongside EU Council and Commission representatives—to represent Europe at upcoming peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said that the chosen figures must represent both the EU and key non-EU allies supporting Kyiv, such as the United Kingdom and Norway.
The framework emerged following discussions involving international envoys, including representatives for US President Donald Trump. According to reporting by Il Fatto Quotidiano, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner briefed European counterparts during an evening meeting near Dublin that Moscow had accepted the inclusion of European representatives at the negotiating table.
In the same hours, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were in Moscow meeting with President Vladimir Putin following talks in Abu Dhabi, while Bjoern Seibert, the German chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, maintained regular contacts with European capitals from Abu Dhabi.
The debate over the European delegation exposed internal divisions among member states. While Giorgia Meloni pushed for a swift decision during the summit, Estonia advocated for broader representation from EU foreign policy leadership. Avvenire notes that European Council President António Costa defended the expansive seven-seat structure against criticisms of overbooking, noting that the delegation mirrors the multi-party composition of international partners.
Ulf Kristersson said that he was flexible and open to the E5 format alongside the European Council and Commission, while Andrej Babis emphasized that the EU, which pays for everything, could not remain outside the negotiating table and leave crucial decisions to Russia and the United States.
«Gli americani sono due, gli ucraini quattro, è normale che anche noi europei andremo come una squadra…»
The search for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine served as the central theme for the European Political Community gathering roughly fifty leaders in Dublin, as outlined by António Costa in his final press conference.
The structure leaves out certain institutional roles, drawing criticism from figures like Kristen Michal and High Representative Kaja Kallas, who argued for a more centralized diplomatic apparatus. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to introduce a 22nd sanctions package against Russia alongside a €45 billion financial support loan for Kyiv ahead of the European Council summit scheduled for November 26 in Brussels.
With the E5 structure established, attention turns to formulating a cohesive negotiating mandate. Italian diplomatic sources suggest that the European delegation should place all core issues on the table simultaneously, including cease-fire terms, security guarantees, regional reconstruction, and the status of war prisoners.
The next step involves establishing this political and negotiating mandate, which must be provided by the 27 member states as well as the group of nations participating in the European Political Community meeting and the Coalition of the Willing convening in Berlin.
| Delegation Entity | Composition & Representatives | Key Affiliated States |
|---|---|---|
| The E5 Format | Germany, France, UK, Italy, Poland | Major European military and economic powers |
| EU Institutions | European Council and European Commission | Brussels executive and legislative leadership |
| Wider Support Coalition | Norway, United Kingdom, and regional partners | Non-EU financial and defense backers of Kyiv |
The exact timing of the next diplomatic round remains contingent on preparatory talks among the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Berlin and subsequent finalization by the 27 member states.
Earlier coverage: EU Leaders Agree on Unified Team for Ukraine Negotiations
