Concrete peace talks on the Ukraine issue, where Europe will be represented for the first time, are expected to take place in the coming weeks, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday on the sidelines of an informal EU leaders' meeting in Dublin, Ireland.
European Union (EU) leaders agreed on Friday that EU institutions and the E5 group of the Coalition of the Willing would form Europe's team for negotiations on peace in Ukraine, European Council President Antonio Costa said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, saying the European team would include the European Council, the European Commission and the E5, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland.
Merz said Friday that he opposes Russia's demand to make Europe's security framework the core topic of negotiations, as NATO -- and in particular its European component -- has already formed Europe's existing security framework.
The German Chancellor also urged the U.S. not to make decisions on the Ukraine issue that would catch its European allies off guard.
Peace talks on Ukraine including European representatives to be held in coming weeks: German chancellor
