The European Union summit approved the composition of the delegation that will participate in expert meetings with representatives of Russia. The decision concerns the formation of a negotiating team to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Participant Composition and Meeting Format
As European Council President António Costa reported, the delegation will include representatives from EU institutions and countries of the so-called coalition of the willing. According to him, EU leaders support holding negotiations, while the European side intends to act in full unity and close coordination.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the momentum in attempts to achieve a lasting and just peace. She noted the creation of a negotiating team in the E5 plus two EU institutions format — the European Council and the European Commission.
According to Bloomberg, discussions will take place at an expert level, where countries will be represented by national security advisors. The question of the possible participation of heads of state in the negotiations remains open at this time.
Who will join the negotiating group
According to Agence France-Presse, the group, which had previously been present in Abu Dhabi, includes representatives from the following parties:
- European Commission
- Council of the EU
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Poland
- United Kingdom
Meanwhile, Moscow expressed categorical disagreement with the expansion of the dialogue format.
