European leaders appoint core delegation for Ukraine peace negotiations

Following an informal European Union summit in Dublin, European leaders agreed on a designated negotiating team to represent the continent's interests in potential peace talks regarding Ukraine. The delegation comprises Europe's five largest powers—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom—alongside European Union leadership. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed support for the broad representation.

The agreement follows unilateral diplomatic contacts by some European leaders and reports of high-level tripartite discussions involving United States, Russian, and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi. Leaked details suggest Moscow presented extensive demands during recent talks, including the recognition of occupied territories, demilitarization of Ukrainian ports, the removal of NATO bases from the Baltic states, and Finland's departure from NATO. Meanwhile, heavy drone strikes persist across both Russia and Ukraine.

Sources: 8 Sidor, Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, Sydsvenskan