Washington and Kyiv Pick E3 as Likely Format for European Role in Peace Talks
The United States and Ukraine have provisionally agreed that Britain, France and Germany could represent Europe in negotiations to end the war. The E3 format remains contested, with European governments largely outside the talks, smaller states concerned about exclusion and Moscow saying the trilateral format does not require EU participation.
Key points
- Washington and Kyiv view the E3 group—Britain, France and Germany—as the most likely mechanism for European representation.
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner agreed in Kyiv last month that E3 would represent Europe in negotiations.
- Most European governments remain outside the negotiations despite the growing recognition in Washington and Kyiv that Europe has an indispensable role.
- Norway and Finland’s leaders spoke by phone with Vladimir Putin without prior coordination with other EU countries.
- Denmark, Italy and Lithuania criticized the unauthorized contacts.
- European countries hold more than €200 billion in frozen Russian assets, sanctions and the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU as leverage.
- Trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine are expected in Abu Dhabi shortly.
Why it matters
The proposed E3 mechanism could determine how Europe participates in peace negotiations and influences any resulting agreement. European institutions are also considered essential for discussions about Ukraine’s future EU relations and possible sanctions relief for Russia. Smaller European countries fear that the three E3 members may advance their own interests rather than a shared European position.
What happened
Washington and Kyiv have provisionally identified Britain, France and Germany as the likely European representatives in negotiations to end the war. Four European diplomats said the E3 format was viewed as the most likely mechanism, while Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had agreed the arrangement with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv last month. Europe is expected to try to follow the E3 format at the initial stage, but most European governments remain outside the talks. Trilateral negotiations involving the United States, Russia and Ukraine are expected in Abu Dhabi shortly.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the preliminary E3 arrangement between Ukraine and the United States and the contrast with Europe’s limited presence at the negotiating table. It also highlights the economic and political leverage held by European governments, their concern about being excluded from European security decisions and tensions between smaller states and the three larger E3 countries. The unauthorized Putin calls by Norway and Finland drew criticism from Denmark, Italy and Lithuania.
How international sources describe it
The coverage focuses on the risk that Europe will remain outside negotiations and on whether Britain, France and Germany can articulate a common European position. It contrasts Washington and Kyiv’s recognition of Europe’s role with the continent’s limited influence at the negotiating table. The Kremlin’s insistence that EU participation is unnecessary further highlights concerns that security decisions, including possible restrictions on NATO, could be discussed without Europe.
Where reporting differs
The Kremlin reportedly does not want European participants and says the trilateral format does not provide for EU involvement. Washington and Kyiv have instead provisionally arranged E3 as Europe’s representation mechanism. Europe itself is divided over whether three countries should speak for the continent and over the unauthorized contacts between the leaders of Norway and Finland and Putin.
Background
European governments possess significant leverage through sanctions, more than €200 billion in frozen Russian assets and the prospect of Ukraine joining the EU, but have struggled to turn that economic and political weight into diplomatic influence. Possible security guarantees for Russia may include restrictions on NATO, raising concern that European security could be discussed without EU participation. A senior European diplomat said Europe needs a seat at the negotiating table before choosing its representative.