Bjoern Seibert, chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the European Union at ongoing Ukraine peace talks on Oct. 9, according to diplomatic sources. The EU has faced internal disagreements regarding representation in peace negotiations, with some member states expressing surprise at Seibert's designated role.
Disagreements over who represents the EU in critical peace negotiations highlight internal divisions within the bloc, potentially impacting its unified stance and effectiveness in diplomatic efforts concerning the war in Ukraine.
Bjoern Seibert, chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the European Union at the latest round of Ukraine peace talks on October 9, diplomatic sources confirmed to the Kyiv Independent. The question of EU representation in peace negotiations has been a recurring point of contention within the bloc.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had stated on October 8 that the peace talks would involve Russian, U.S., European, and NATO officials. Two EU officials confirmed that Seibert would be representing the European Commission, alongside the National Security Advisers of France, Germany, and the U.K.
A senior EU official familiar with the peace talks described the engagement as part of the "constant work with Ukraine to strengthen their position while also trying to secure peace," emphasizing its importance amid Russia's escalating attacks. However, the EU has historically struggled to reach a consensus on who should officially represent it in peace negotiations.
Earlier in 2026, discussions about a dedicated EU peace envoy were prominent, with speculation about whether Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, or a specific representative chosen by EU countries, should take on the role. This followed an incident where Pedro Lourtie, chief of staff to European Council President Antonio Costa, reportedly opened a diplomatic backchannel to Moscow without informing all EU countries, which several nations took offense to.
Some EU countries have previously objected to the E3 countries (France, Germany, and the U.K.) representing the bloc, citing past leniency towards Russia by France and Germany, and the U.K.'s non-member status. Seibert's role may also face scrutiny from national capitals, as diplomats from three EU countries confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that they were unaware of his participation.
Despite potential blowback, the senior EU official noted that the process for such engagements is often "ad hoc." They added that Seibert "frequently debriefs to ambassadors." Another high-ranking EU official described the format for peace talks as "a little bit established" and mentioned it was being replicated in Miami. One national diplomat saw Seibert's participation as unproblematic, suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump might view von der Leyen favorably, and that Seibert could be a suitable negotiator for difficult talks.
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