Zelensky Says Europe Must Name a Peace Negotiator by End of November

In brief

• Zelensky has asked European countries to name a representative for the Ukraine peace talks by the end of November.
• Europe and the US are disputing how many seats each should hold at the negotiating table.
• Russia has revived its demand for a broad overhaul of European security, and Zelensky raised a possible referendum on any comprehensive deal.

European seat at the table

European leaders are under pressure to name a single representative for the Ukraine peace talks, with Volodymyr Zelensky setting the end of November as the deadline (Ukraine: Zelenskyy says security deal could go to referendum – DW). The question followed a US assurance that European countries would be present at the next round of meetings (EU leaders tussle over who to send to Ukraine, Russia peace talks – DW). Speaking in Dublin, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas voiced frustration at Europe receiving one seat while Washington gets two.

Broader security question

The dispute goes beyond seating. US envoy Jared Kushner has also described a "broader" European security architecture as part of the talks (The dangers of revising Europe's security architecture – DW).

Territory and NATO

Zelensky said US envoys had asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas if it joined NATO. He repeated that Kyiv will not cede territory to Russia, but said that if a comprehensive deal including security guarantees, a well-funded army and reconstruction funds were reached, he would put the terms to voters in a referendum. He also said Moscow is pushing to rework the security order in Europe, a development he described as dangerous (Zelensky: Russia seeks to revise Europe's security architecture – Ukrinform).

What happens next

Zelensky's end-of-November deadline is now the point against which European leaders will measure their progress in choosing a negotiator.