Meloni urges EU to agree a single representative for Ukraine talks

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Europe risks losing its influence in any future peace talks over Ukraine unless member states stop pursuing competing diplomatic initiatives and agree on a single, authorised representative to speak for the bloc.

In a letter addressed to the president of the European Council, António Costa, Meloni argued that proposing multiple negotiating formats undermines Europe’s credibility and creates the impression that it is acting "on an ad hoc basis".

Meloni stressed she is not seeking a personal or Italian seat at the negotiating table, but she made clear that Rome will not accept obligations agreed without a mandate from the European Union.

Request for a decision before the December summit

She urged EU leaders to decide who should represent the union in talks with Russia and Ukraine and to define the mandate that representative would receive.

Meloni asked for the matter to be discussed at the informal European Council meeting in Dublin next week, with an official decision to be taken at the December summit after coordination with the United Kingdom, Norway and other European partners.

Photo: press material from the event