EU represented by von der Leyen's right-hand at Ukraine peace talks, sources say

Brussels, Belgium — According to diplomatic sources, the European Commission is representing the EU at the ongoing round of Ukraine peace talks on October 9, with Bjoern Seibert, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's chief of staff, serving as their representative, the Kyiv Independent reported. The question of who represents the EU at peace talks has been a contentious issue, even as Brussels expresses its skepticism towards Russia's sincerity in ending its war of aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned during a press conference on October 8 that the peace talks would involve not only Russian and U.S. officials but also Europeans and NATO members. Two EU officials disclosed that Seibert would be representing the European Commission alongside the National Security Advisers of the E3 countries: France, Germany, and the U.K. According to a senior EU official familiar with the peace talks, the discussions are merely another part of the EU's ongoing efforts to enhance Ukraine's position and work towards securing peace, particularly as Russia's aggression escalates.

However, the EU has struggled to reach a consensus on who has the authority to represent it in peace negotiations. In 2026, there was a debate about appointing a dedicated EU peace envoy, with President Kaja Kallas as a potential candidate or individual EU countries selecting their representatives. Another controversy arose when Pedro Lourtie, the chief of staff to European Council President Antonio Costa, initiated a diplomatic backchannel with Moscow without prior consent from all EU countries, leading to objections from several nations.

Seibert's role as the EU's representative at the peace talks might elicit similar criticism from national capitals. Diplomats from three EU countries affirmed to the Kyiv Independent that they were unaware of Seibert's role. The notion of von der Leyen and her chief of staff concentrating power in their hands is a recurring topic in the Brussels media scene and beyond.

However, the senior EU official familiar with the peace talks emphasized that there is no established procedure for such situations, and the process is ad hoc, involving both Ukraine and the U.S. Another EU official described the format for peace talks as "a little bit established," which is being replicated in Miami at present.

One national diplomat expressed no concern about Seibert's participation in the talks, attributing it to U.S. President Donald Trump's positive perception of von der Leyen, who has been vocal about critical issues.