António Costa's move to establish Kremlin backchannel generates some criticism
The first day of the EU summit was meant to be about China and a celebration of Ukraine’s membership bid.
But a dinner where leaders were expected to hash out a long-awaited strategy for dealing with rising Chinese dominance in the global economy was waylaid until nearly 11 pm by bickering about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The EU27 glad-handed Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, celebrating the formal opening of EU membership talks.
The mood shifted when he left the room and discussion quickly turned to the vexed question of engagement with the Kremlin – which is showing no desire to negotiate for peace.
