European diplomats from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are working on a possible format for future negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war, according to reports. The effort focuses on how European countries could participate in and shape any eventual talks, even as Russia shows little sign of engaging.
The initiative comes amid uncertainty about how upcoming US policy could affect negotiations. The New York Times reports that European officials are “wary” of how President Donald Trump’s approach may influence diplomacy, prompting them to explore alternative pathways and roles for Europe. While discussions focus on process and structure, the reports emphasize that they are planning ahead rather than responding to an active negotiation round.
Different outlets’ framing centers on varying degrees of emphasis: some stress Europe’s desire to avoid being sidelined, while others focus on the lack of demonstrated Russian interest. Across coverage, the key point is that diplomats are trying to prepare an orderly framework for talks that do not yet appear imminent, balancing diplomatic planning with current realities on the ground.
