Antonio Costa’s Kremlin outreach triggers EU internal rift

The outreach, intended to bypass reliance on third-party interpretations of Russian intent, triggered immediate backlash during a two-day summit in Brussels. Critics, particularly from Nordic and Baltic nations, argued the move undermines the bloc's policy of isolating Moscow. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed skepticism, with Macron emphasizing that any security guarantees for Ukraine fall outside the scope of such back-channel diplomacy.

Internal friction intensified as leaders clashed over the lack of transparency. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly signaled frustration over the dominance of the 'E3' group—France, Germany, and Britain—in shaping potential peace terms, a sentiment that highlights the bloc's fragmented approach to conflict resolution. Despite resistance, Costa found backing from leaders in Ireland and Spain, who maintain that maintaining an independent line of communication is essential for European sovereignty. As the summit concluded, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten warned that the EU remains unready for negotiations, noting that the bloc has yet to define its collective stance on the stakes of a future settlement.