French President Emmanuel Macron has told leaders in Dublin that "there is no more U.S. support" for Ukraine, and that Europeans must now take charge of their own security and of the peace talks with Russia. His blunt words, spoken on Thursday at a European Political Community meeting, landed as the EU's 27 leaders met on Friday to decide whether Europe should speak to Moscow through a single envoy or a negotiating team — a choice that will shape the next round of talks, and who pays for Ukraine's defence if Washington steps back.

Key Points

• French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday in Dublin: "Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine... There is no more U.S. support."
• The EU's 27 leaders met in Dublin on Friday, November 13, to debate one envoy versus a team for the Ukraine peace talks.
• Leading candidates are European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who claimed the role on Friday; Finnish President Alexander Stubb is also in play.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pushing for a single envoy and a decision by Friday, to be formalised in December.
• Macron said he would serve as Europe's envoy himself if asked, once the EU agrees a common position.

What Happened

Macron spoke at a meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin on Thursday, November 12, as the latest round of US-mediated peace talks gathered pace. His message was direct: Europe can no longer assume American backing will be there, and it must define its own future.

"Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine... There is no more U.S. support," Macron said, adding: "At the end of the day, we will be the ones to define and decide for our future security as Europeans."

The next day, the EU's 27 leaders met in Dublin to decide who represents Europe at the table. No consensus had emerged by Friday, with governments split between a single envoy and a team. Meloni is pressing for agreement by Friday, with formalisation in December. Kallas staked her claim the same day, saying: "I'm the one who is representing Europe in the foreign and security policy."

Macron: 'No More US Support' for Ukraine

Macron's blunt phrase is the clearest public acknowledgement yet by a major European leader that the transatlantic bargain underpinning Ukraine's defence has changed. It was a statement about the present, not a prediction — made as American diplomacy increasingly sidelines Kyiv's European allies.

This week, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, then met Putin in Moscow and briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin. Kushner said Europe would join the next round and Putin was "willing to give it a try"; Zelenskyy said Europe will send a team and "will have a voice".

But Europe's leaders are wary. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned against another "Anchorage moment" as President Donald Trump prepares to meet Putin in Beijing next week — a deal struck over Europe's head that trades away Ukraine's interests for a quick settlement. Macron said he would serve as envoy himself if asked, "always at the service" of negotiations once the EU agrees a common position.

Background: How Europe Got Here

The Abu Dhabi talks on November 10 and 11 were the first direct US-mediated meetings between Russia and Ukraine in nine months. They ended without a ceasefire, but with agreement in principle on what could be the largest prisoner exchange of the war. Read our report on the Abu Dhabi talks.

From Abu Dhabi, Witkoff and Kushner met Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday for about two and a half hours, then said the trilateral talks had restarted. Read our report on the talks restarting. Putin said Russia had "never objected" to dialogue with Europe, but does not want Europeans in the direct negotiations.

Kushner later said Russia and Ukraine agreed to expand the next round to include European nations. Read our report on Kushner's announcement. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Europe must first name a representative, mocking the debate: "the Europeans squabble like spiders in a jar". Russia still holds about a fifth of Ukraine, and Kyiv refuses to give up the rest of the Donbas.

Reactions and Quotes

Kallas's claim set up an immediate contest at the top of the EU, while Meloni pushed for speed: a single envoy chosen by Friday and formalised in December, so Europe does not arrive at the next round still arguing about its own representation.

From Moscow came mockery and a condition. Peskov said Europe must first name a representative; Putin warned that any European troops deployed in Ukraine after a ceasefire would be "legitimate targets". Zelenskyy welcomed a European voice but warned talks must first end the war and settle security guarantees, rejecting territorial concessions.

Why It Matters

Macron's declaration reframes the peace process. If American support is truly over — not paused, but over — the burden of sustaining Kyiv falls squarely on Europe, already stretched by energy costs, migration and defence spending.

The envoy question is not protocol. Whoever represents Europe will help decide whether a settlement protects Ukraine's sovereignty or ratifies Russia's gains, and whether security guarantees are real or rhetorical. If Europe arrives divided, Moscow will exploit it; with a single mandated voice, the dynamic changes.

What Happens Next

The Dublin summit continues into Friday, with Meloni pressing leaders to settle the envoy question before the weekend. If no decision is reached, it will be formalised at an EU meeting in December.

Next week, attention shifts to Beijing, where Trump is due to meet Putin. The envoys are expected to set a date and venue for the next trilateral round, with European participation agreed in principle but undefined in practice. For Ukraine, the immediate question is whether the promised prisoner exchange moves forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Macron say about US support for Ukraine?
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, November 12, Macron said: "Without Europeans, there is no support for Ukraine... There is no more U.S. support."

Who could become Europe's envoy?
The leading candidates are European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and an E3 format are also under discussion.

When will Europe decide?
EU leaders debated it in Dublin on Friday, November 13. Meloni wants a decision by Friday, with formalisation in December if no agreement is reached.

Will Europe join the next round of talks?
US envoy Jared Kushner said Europe would join the next round and Putin is "willing to give it a try". President Zelenskyy said Europe "will have a voice", but the format is not yet settled.

What did Russia say?
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Europe must first name a representative. Putin warned any European troops deployed in Ukraine would be "legitimate targets".