Could Europe take over Ukraine peace talks from Trump? Here's what officials say

Key Points:

• The EU has no concrete plans to hold its own peace talks with Russia, despite reports suggesting otherwise, as confirmed by several EU leaders and diplomats on May 8.
• Frustration over stalled U.S.-mediated peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv has prompted discussions within the EU about potential direct talks with Russia, but officials emphasize that now is not the time to interfere with the U.S.-led process.
• EU diplomats stress the need for internal consensus on objectives and demands before engaging Russia in negotiations, with a focus remaining on supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia.
• Some Ukrainian officials express conditional support for European-led talks if the U.S. steps back, though they note Russia’s reluctance to negotiate without American involvement.
• Preparatory steps for possible future EU-led peace discussions include a discussion paper circulated by EU diplomat Kaja Kallas and upcoming informal foreign minister talks in Cyprus, with the topic potentially reaching the EU leaders’ summit in June.