Moscow says it will not dictate EU delegation's participation in Ukraine talks

By Alexei Doval Published on 14 November 2026 - 22:05 GMT+1 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Moscow, which had previously insisted that European representatives had no place at the negotiating table, has now softened its stance. Moscow has signalled for the first time that it would not oppose a European representatives taking part in negotiations on Ukraine, thereby confirming about the possible participation of an EU delegation in the next round of peace talks. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had no intention to dictate who should represent the EU at the negotiating table, even though it had previously insisted that EU representatives had "no business" there. "We cannot and do not want to set conditions for their negotiating team. This is a completely wrong way to put it," Peskov told local media on Saturday, adding that Moscow should first speak with European representatives to understand "to what extent their position could potentially contribute to the peace process". Shift in Kremlin rhetoric The latest statement marks a clear shift in Russia's tone towards Brussels in recent months. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2024, has previously accused Europe of "prolonging the war" and "multiplying the suffering of ordinary people" by supporting Kyiv. On Tuesday, negotiators from the United States, Ukraine and Russia held trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, which European representatives were excluded from. A few days later on Thursday, US envoy Jared Kushner announced that Russia had agreed to expand the next round of talks to include European participation. EU leaders agreed Friday that Europe would be represented by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the bloc's institutions. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more US floats Ukraine ceding land to Russia in exchange for NATO membership: Zelenskyy Russia urges IIHF to move Canada world juniors as hockey boycotts spread Ukraine: Russian drone attacks hit Kyiv hospital, leave two dead in Odesa Russia's invasion of Ukraine Talks / negotiations Vladimir Putin Kremlin European Union War in Ukraine Comments