Key facts
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever suggested European Council President António Costa should represent the EU in potential peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The remark was made following an EU summit, referencing debates on establishing a direct communication channel with Moscow.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly expressed reservations about Costa's outreach to the Kremlin.
During a chance encounter following an EU summit, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever suggested to European Council President António Costa that he would be the ideal representative for future peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. De Wever's remark alluded to ongoing debates among EU leaders about whether the bloc should establish a direct channel of communication with the Kremlin and who should speak for Europe in such negotiations.
Costa responded with amusement, joking that De Wever wanted him out of Brussels. The exchange highlighted divisions within the EU regarding engagement with Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had reportedly voiced opposition to Costa's overtures to the Kremlin during a closed-door dinner discussion.