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European Council President Costa Faces Backlash Over Secret Kremlin Outreach

European Council President Costa faced sharp criticism from France and Germany over his outreach to Russia.

Asude Karataş • 20 Haziran 2026 09:40 • 3 dk okuma • 29 görüntülenme

European Council President António Costa has drawn fierce criticism from France and Germany over his efforts to establish communication channels with Russia, exposing a fundamental rift within the EU over whether and how to engage with Moscow. The dispute emerged during a closed-door summit in Brussels where Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz directly challenged Costa's diplomatic initiative, with other European leaders splitting into competing camps on the issue.

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The Diplomatic Clash
Division Over Strategy

The Diplomatic Clash

During a two-hour extended discussion held without aides or mobile phones, the French president and German chancellor rejected Costa's attempts to reach out to Vladimir Putin on behalf of the European Union. According to officials briefed on the encounter, Costa's chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, had contacted Moscow officials twice in recent weeks to explore potential dialogue channels.

The confrontation marks the first summit of its kind since 2010 without Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who historically served as a counterweight to EU consensus. Yet contrary to expectations, Costa found himself isolated on this particular issue, with even traditionally dovish capitals declining to support his overture.

Division Over Strategy

The dispute crystallizes a deeper disagreement about Europe's approach to Russia and Ukraine. Macron and Merz contend that the moment for direct talks with Putin has not arrived, and if such dialogue becomes necessary, France, Germany, and Britain should lead negotiations rather than the EU collectively. This position gained unexpected traction among Baltic nations and countries with strong anti-Russia stances.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal articulated the opposing view bluntly, stating that the European Union cannot serve as a mediator in Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Officials described some leaders as displaying "unprecedented fury" with Costa's initiative, viewing backdoor diplomatic channels as potentially dangerous precedent.

The urgency of these discussions intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump's provisional agreement with Iran and signals that American attention may shift toward Ukraine. With Washington's efforts to broker Ukrainian peace appearing stalled, European capitals have grown increasingly divided over whether to prioritize military support for Ukraine or pursue diplomatic alternatives.

Who is António Costa and what is his role?+

Costa serves as President of the European Council, representing all 27 EU member states in external relations. His role includes coordinating EU positions on major geopolitical issues and, in principle, speaking on behalf of the bloc internationally.

What specific contact did Costa's office make with Russia?+

Pedro Lourtie, Costa's chief of staff, contacted Russian officials twice over the past few weeks to explore potential communication channels. The exact content and purpose of these contacts has not been fully disclosed, but they prompted immediate concern among EU leaders.

Why do Macron and Merz oppose EU diplomacy with Putin?+

Both leaders argue that the current moment is inappropriate for negotiations with Putin. They believe that if talks eventually occur, they should be led by France, Germany, and Britain bilaterally rather than by the EU as an institution, giving them more control over the process and messaging.

Which EU countries supported Costa's diplomatic approach?+

Specific supporters of Costa's position have not been named in official statements. However, leaders from Baltic states, Denmark, and the Netherlands sided with Macron and Merz in opposing the outreach, suggesting limited backing for Costa's initiative among the broader membership.

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