June 19, 2026, 07:14June 19, 2026, 07:14
EU Council President António Costa is causing anger by making unsolicited contact with Russia. At the EU summit in Brussels, after the deliberations on the war in Ukraine, there was talk in German government circles of an “affront”. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made it clear at the meeting that Costa was the representative of the European Union, but not the mediator, it was said. According to information from the German Press Agency, other heads of state and government also expressed dissatisfaction, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
EU Council President Costa alongside Ursula von der Leyen.Image: keystone
The anger overshadowed a summit decision that was intended as a signal of determination to Moscow. The heads of state and government of the 27 member states agreed for the first time to extend the EU economic sanctions against Russia not just by six, but by twelve months. In recent years, the then Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had always blocked a one-year extension.
Two telephone calls from Costa’s head of cabinet to Moscow
The number one topic of discussion at the summit was the EU Council President’s Russia initiative, which became known before the summit in a Politico report. His office subsequently confirmed that there were contacts with Russia to open diplomatic channels – without substantive exchange and without negotiations. According to dpa information, it was about two telephone calls from Costa’s head of cabinet, Pedro Lourtie.
The EU Council President defended the establishment of contact at the summit. “The aim was to be ready when the moment was right to defend the EU’s interests,” he argued, according to an EU official. She added that a number of heads of state and government had pointed out in the discussion that the president “is the natural representative of the EU’s interests according to the treaties.”
“Incoordinated” and “unprofessional”
In German government circles, however, the initiative was described as “uncoordinated” and “unprofessional”. The heads of state and government were only informed about this afterwards. Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine should continue to be driven by the states that most supported Ukraine. This refers to the so-called E3, which includes Germany, France and Great Britain.
Friedrich Merz: Criticism of Costa can be heard in German government circles.Image: keystone
Merz, French President Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a new initiative almost two weeks ago to restart stalled diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war. The aim is to get Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the negotiating table.
At the G7 summit in Évian, the Europeans – in Costa’s presence – also brought US President Donald Trump on board and agreed to increase the pressure on Russia with sanctions and to maintain support for Ukraine. At Lake Geneva, Merz spoke of “really great transatlantic and European unity”. In Brussels it seemed to be over again.
Zelenskyj holds back – Lavrov waves him off
Zelenskyj also took part in the deliberations, but he remained reserved about Costa’s Russia initiative. “I don’t know too many details about it,” he said as he left the summit.
Zelenskyj alongside Costa.Image: keystone
And what does Moscow say? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov does not see the European Union as a suitable negotiating partner. Europe is interested in Moscow’s defeat in the war, cannot be viewed as an impartial observer and attributes Russia’s “aggressive plans,” he wrote in an article published on the Internet. That is not a basis for comprehensive discussions.
De Wever jokes: “Get to Moscow as quickly as possible.”
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever took the whole debate with humor. As the Belgian was speaking to journalists about the issue as he left the summit, Costa stopped by. «I was just talking about you, António! Only good things!” he called after him. “I said you are the only one who can represent us and we will send you to Moscow as quickly as possible.” Costa asked back with a laugh: “Because you don’t like me in Brussels?” An interpretation that De Wever immediately rejected.
EU plans new sanctions
Regardless of the discussion about Costa, the joint summit declaration of the 27 heads of state and government continued what had been agreed at the G7 meeting. The European Union remains determined to “continue to increase the pressure on Russia and further weaken the Russian war economy so that Russia ends its brutal war of aggression and begins serious peace negotiations.” There should be further steps to reduce Russian energy revenues, curb the activities of the Russian shadow fleet and isolate the Russian banking system.
At the same time, the heads of state and government are once again calling on Russia to stop all attacks. The country must show a real desire for peace, agree to a complete, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and begin serious negotiations.
For the first time since December 2024, all 27 member states agreed to the declarations on Ukraine. This was also made possible by Orban’s deselection. However, the fact that Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Rumen Radev rejects parts of the planned next EU sanctions package is a downer for supporters of Ukraine.
Radev confirmed at the summit that he wants to prevent sanctions against the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and also individual economic punitive measures. As an example, he cited sanctions against the Russian energy giant Lukoil. (dab/sda/dpa)