Politico has reported that French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised European Council President António Costa at a closed-door meeting of EU leaders over his contact with the Kremlin.

European Council President Antonio Costa has contacted the Kremlin to discuss ending the Ukraine war, signaling a shift in Europe's diplomatic approach.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, has established contact with the Kremlin in an effort to engage Russian leader Vladimir Putin in discussions on ways to end…