Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European governments to agree on a single representative for peace negotiations with Russia and the United States by the end of November, saying Europe needs to speak with one voice as U.S.-mediated talks continue.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Denmark on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said the decision should come "in November, not later," and that ideally one person would hold a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the whole of Europe — not just the European Union, but also non-EU backers of Ukraine such as the United Kingdom and Norway.
"I hope that not later than the end of November — better in Germany on 19th — fix it. We will see," Zelenskyy said, referring to a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, the group of countries working on security guarantees for Ukraine, scheduled in Berlin on November 19. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the summit last week, saying it would coordinate diplomatic efforts to end the war and set commitments for aid to Ukraine in 2027.
Zelenskyy said he wanted a "dialogue" with the EU and other European powers about who would represent them, rather than being presented with a decision. Pressed on who might fill the role, he told reporters only that there are "many strong leaders in Europe, both inside and outside the EU." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who hosted Zelenskyy at the University of Copenhagen, said she had no intention of becoming "the voice of Europe."
The appeal comes as Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials hold a second day of U.S.-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, which resumed on Monday after a nine-month pause. European teams have joined the discussions in Abu Dhabi, with the European Commission and European Council sending a joint team of senior officials alongside France, Germany and the United Kingdom. European leaders are due to take up the question again at a European Political Community summit in Dublin on Thursday, followed by an informal European Council summit there on Friday.
