The European Union on Thursday reiterated that Europe must be included in any negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, amid reports that EU representatives were not formally part of talks held in Geneva.
“Nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Europe at the negotiating table,” European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told reporters at a midday briefing.
His remarks came after France, Germany, and Italy along with the United Kingdom sent national security advisers to Geneva on the sidelines of talks involving US, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives.
Asked whether the European Commission had been informed about the outcome of the discussions and about a possible appointment of a special EU envoy for the peace talks, El Anouni said the bloc remains in constant coordination with Kyiv and Washington.
He also underlined that the bloc continues to support efforts by the United States to end the war and achieve a just and lasting peace.
“International borders must not be changed by force,” El Anouni stressed, saying that Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire nearly a year ago, while Russia continues “relentless attacks” targeting energy and civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian authorities.
“We still do not see tangible signs that Russia is engaging seriously on peace,” he said, adding that Europe’s security and continental stability must also be ensured in any settlement.
El Anouni said the EU and its member states stand ready to further contribute to peace talks and security guarantees for Ukraine, including through military assistance and defense cooperation.
The third round of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the US, concluded in Geneva on Wednesday after nearly two hours.
The negotiations, mediated by US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, come a week before the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war amid continuing attacks.
The Russian delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, replacing senior military officials who led previous rounds in the United Arab Emirates, while Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov led Kyiv’s delegation.
The talks in Geneva follow two earlier rounds of negotiations in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5. The latter resulted in the first prisoner swap between Moscow and Kyiv since last October.
