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Jun 18, 20261
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EU Leaders Condemn Unilateral Kremlin Contact by Costa's Chief of Staff
EU leaders expressed fury after António Costa's chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, made two undisclosed calls to Russian officials to explore restarting negotiations with Vladimir Putin. The unsanctioned diplomatic initiative, undertaken without consulting member states, sparked accusations of lack of transparency and exposed divisions within the EU over Ukraine strategy.
Quick Facts
Who
António Costa
What
Pedro Lourtie made two contacts with Russian officials
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Brussels
- Pedro Lourtie made two contacts with Russian officials
- Attempt to restart negotiations with Russia
- EU summit convened in Brussels
- U.S.-Iran peace deal signed
- EU members expressed anger over lack of consultation
European Union leaders expressed strong anger on Thursday evening after learning that António Costa's chief of staff, Pedro Lourtie, had made two unsanctioned contacts with Russian officials without prior consultation with member states. The initiative, undertaken over recent weeks as the EU sought to restart negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid stalled Ukraine war efforts, was not disclosed to EU governments beforehand, triggering accusations of a lack of transparency and proper procedure.
The controversy emerged as EU leaders convened in Brussels for a summit that had initially begun on a positive note, buoyed by the signing of a provisional U.S.-Iran peace deal earlier in the week. However, the revelation of the Kremlin contacts quickly overshadowed the gathering. According to diplomats familiar with the discussions, many governments were unaware of the initiative, and some stated they opposed it occurring at all. The incident exposed deeper divisions within the EU over how to balance diplomatic efforts with continued military support for Ukraine.
The backlash reflects broader tensions among European capitals regarding strategy toward Russia. While some leaders have advocated for renewed diplomatic channels as U.S.-led attempts to resolve the conflict appeared deadlocked, others prioritize enabling Ukraine to achieve military victory. The unilateral nature of Costa's office's outreach—bypassing the normal consultation mechanisms among member states—compounded frustration and raised questions about coordination within EU leadership structures.
Why This Matters
This incident reveals critical fractures in EU decision-making and strategic coherence at a pivotal moment in the Ukraine conflict. The unauthorized diplomatic outreach bypasses established consultation mechanisms, undermining trust between member states and raising questions about whether the EU can maintain unified policy on Russia. For readers, this signals potential weakness in European coordination precisely when sustained pressure on Moscow is needed, and demonstrates how individual leaders' actions can unilaterally shift geopolitical messaging without consensus.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireEU leaders learn of Pedro Lourtie's undisclosed contacts with Russian officials
Jun 18, 2026
WireEU leaders convene in Brussels summit