# EU Plans High-Level Delegation for Ukraine–Russia Talks as Zelensky Flags Technical Meetings with Moscow

*Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 8:07 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-10-28T08:07:19.161Z (2h ago)
**Category**: geopolitics | **Region**: Eastern Europe
**Importance**: 8/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/21773.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: The European Commission and European Council are preparing a joint senior delegation for Ukraine–Russia talks expected in November, while President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia is serious about convening technical teams on de-escalation, prisoner exchanges, and a possible leaders’ meeting.

European institutions are preparing to move directly into the room for the next round of contacts between Ukraine and Russia, at a moment when Kyiv says Moscow is ready to start detailed technical talks.

According to Euronews, the European Commission and the European Council are assembling a joint delegation of high-ranking officials to attend the upcoming negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, planned for November. The delegation is expected to be led by Björn Seibert, chief of staff to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Brussels is now openly stating its intention to take part in the future talks.

In parallel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined what he expects from new technical-level contacts with Russia. He said Russia is serious about holding a meeting of technical teams that would focus on de-escalation in the energy sector and the Black Sea, prisoner exchanges, ending the war, and the format of a possible meeting between national leaders.

Zelensky added that, at this stage, a higher-level meeting depends heavily on the United States, which he said is currently focused on the situation in the Middle East. He also stated that Ukraine will not attack ships carrying diesel fuel for the United States. At the same time, he said elections are impossible during the conflict.

These parallel moves put Europe closer to the core of any emerging negotiation structure rather than working mainly through back channels. With the US attention divided, EU leaders appear intent on having a direct role in discussions that touch on energy security, Black Sea navigation and the fate of prisoners of war.

The practical tests ahead include the final makeup and mandate of the EU delegation, the specific topics the technical teams from Ukraine and Russia are able to tackle in November, and any sign from Washington that it is ready to support or join a potential leaders’ summit once groundwork talks have taken place.