EU leaders argued in Brussels over negotiations with Putin, Macron and Merz criticizing Costa's efforts to open communication channels.

At a tense summit in Brussels, European Union leaders had major divergences regarding the opening of communication channels with Vladimir Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz firmly opposed the initiatives of the President of the European Council, António Costa, to resume contacts with the Kremlin, arguing that it is not the right time for negotiations. This dispute revealed deep tensions within the Union, with some states, such as Estonia, arguing that the EU should not act as a mediator. While Macron and Merz advocated for France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to lead any potential negotiations, other leaders supported that Costa should represent the bloc. The discussions were marked by dissatisfaction regarding Costa's previous contacts with Russia, which were perceived as unprofessional. In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the divergences regarding the approach towards Russia remain a major challenge for EU unity.