Shona Murray: Putin gains legitimacy while Europe bickers over speaking orders

The conversation about who has the right to speak on behalf of the EU pales into insignificance when the priority of stopping Russia’s brutality is considered

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomes European Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas at the EPC summit in Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

European leaders just about brought themselves back from falling into the trap set by Russian president Vladimir Putin aimed at distracting from progress on talks aimed at ending his war.

Europe’s failure to nominate one voice — should it be an equal part of US-convened negotiations — was set to consume talks this week.