The European Commission will represent the European Union at the latest round of Ukraine peace talks on October 9, with Björn Seibert, chief of staff to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, attending on behalf of the bloc, diplomatic sources told the Kyiv Independent.

Seibert is expected to participate alongside national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, known as the E3, as well as U.S. officials, according to the report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October 8 that the talks would involve representatives from the United States, European countries and NATO.

A senior EU official familiar with the discussions said the Commission's participation formed part of its ongoing efforts to support Ukraine and help secure peace.

That work was particularly important amid an increase in Russian attacks, the official said.

The question of who should represent the EU in negotiations over Russia's war against Ukraine has repeatedly exposed divisions within the bloc.

Earlier this year, officials and diplomats discussed appointing a dedicated EU peace envoy, with debate centring on whether the role should be given to the bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, or to a representative selected by member states.

The issue became more sensitive after Pedro Lourtie, chief of staff to European Council President Antonio Costa, reportedly opened a diplomatic backchannel with Moscow without first informing all EU member states. Some countries expressed concern about the move, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Several EU countries have also opposed allowing the E3 to represent the bloc in peace negotiations, arguing that France and Germany had previously taken too accommodating an approach towards Russia and that the United Kingdom is not an EU member.

Seibert's role could prompt similar concerns, particularly as diplomats from three EU countries told the Kyiv Independent they were unaware he would represent the Commission at the talks.

A senior EU official said there was no fixed procedure for representation at the negotiations, describing the arrangements as largely ad hoc in dealings with both Ukraine and the United States.

The official added that Seibert regularly briefs EU ambassadors on developments.

Another senior EU official described the format for the peace talks as partly established, saying the same arrangements were being replicated in Miami.

At least one national diplomat did not consider Seibert's participation problematic, pointing to U.S. President Donald Trump's positive relationship with von der Leyen.

The discussions come as European governments seek to maintain a role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine while navigating differences over the bloc's diplomatic representation and its approach to Moscow. (ILKHA)