Bart De Wever knows who should represent Europe in any future peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin: António Costa.
A late-night chat between POLITICO’s Hans von der Burchard and the Belgian prime minister after Thursday’s EU summit was interrupted by an unexpected passerby: European Council President Costa, backpack slung over his shoulder as he headed for the exit.
“I was just talking about you, António,” De Wever called out as Costa walked by. “You were talking about me?” Costa replied, stopping in his tracks and turning back, visibly intrigued.
After shaking Costa’s hand, De Wever explained: “I was saying you’re the only one who can represent us.” After a brief pause, Costa responded: “Thank you very much.”
“And that we should send you to Moscow as soon as possible,” De Wever added with a grin.
The quip was a reference to leaders’ discussions over whether the EU should establish a direct channel of communication with Putin and, more broadly, who, if anyone, should speak for the bloc in any future peace negotiations.
Costa immediately burst out laughing. “Because you don’t like me in Brussels!” he fired back before disappearing into the night.
During Thursday’s dinner, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed back against efforts by Costa to reach out to the Kremlin, according to five EU diplomats and officials who were briefed on the closed-door discussion.
Several other leaders, however, sided with Costa, underscoring divisions over how — and by whom — Europe should engage Moscow.
