Zelensky warns EU to be alert to Russian threats

Updated / Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 12:26

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the EU should be alert to Russian efforts to re-write Europe's security architecture ahead of any ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.

He was speaking at the first plenary session of the European Political Community in Dublin, which was formally opened by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Mr Zelensky said ⁠that he would meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner later today after their visit to Moscow where they are meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said Ukraine found the US approach of discussing a new security order ‌with Russia "a bit strange".

"Because for 30 ⁠years after ‌the Soviet Union collapsed, Europe treated Russia ⁠well, ‌and Europe tried to have as much trade as ⁠possible, as much cooperation as ⁠possible, and as good relations as possible with Russia," Mr Zelensky said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were among those arriving at the Convention Centre this morning amid the biggest security operation in the history of the State.

Arriving at the meeting, Mr Martin said the EU could agree on more than one person who would speak for Europe in any peace negotiations with Russia.

He said discussions around having an EU voice in the Ukraine talks will be discussed on the margins of today's meeting, but more formally at tomorrow's EU Council meeting.

Mr Martin said there were some obvious candidates who may represent Europe, but that it did not necessarily have to be one person.

"But there should be clear, coherent leadership from the European Union at that table.

"There are some obvious candidates there, but I'm not going to speculate among those other than to say there is clearly a need for a coherent voice agreed by the EU27 as to who."

Mr Macron said Europe will define and decide its future security.

Asked by reporters whether Europe lacked credibility by not having a place in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, President Macron said without Europe there was no support for Ukraine.

"At the end of the day we will be the one to define and decide for our future security as Europeans, have no doubt about it," he said.

Asked whether it was possible to trust Russian President Vladimir Putin in the process, he said he was not saying that President Putin should be trusted, but that it was important to keep supporting Ukraine.

Additional reporting Harry Manning, Reuters, PA