Dublin hosts ninth European Political Community summit

European leaders gathered in Dublin on 12 November 2026 to discuss defence, security threats and Europe’s participation in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, Digi24 reports. The ninth European Political Community summit was scheduled for that date in the Council of the European Union’s official programme.

Europe and negotiations on Ukraine: a position without an agreed format

According to Digi24, one of the central messages in Dublin is that European states should develop a common position towards Russia and participate directly in negotiations on Ukraine. NATO announced in advance that Secretary General Mark Rutte planned to attend the Dublin summit and hold bilateral talks, including with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Council of the EU’s official programme lists António Costa and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin as co-chairs. The programme includes plenary sessions and a closing press conference. The NATO and Council of the EU announcements describe planned participation and the programme, rather than the outcomes of the talks.

The call for Europe to have a seat at the negotiating table does not mean that a format or a common negotiating position has been agreed. Discussion within the European Political Community is not equivalent to an EU or NATO decision either.

Romania puts the Black Sea and the Eastern Flank among its priorities

Nicușor Dan’s participation in a round table on the security and defence of a democratic Europe was announced ahead of the summit by the Romanian presidential administration. Topics include support for Ukraine and countering hybrid threats. The report by Romanian news agency News.ro is based on a statement from the presidential administration.

Before the summit, Romania had already stated its support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and identified security in the Black Sea and along the Eastern Flank among its priorities. The summit is being held under the theme “Europe: strong, secure, connected”.

For Bulgaria, the specific regional connection is Bucharest’s Black Sea priority. It places the security of Bulgaria’s neighbouring ally among the topics in Europe’s defence discussions, but a national position announced in advance does not amount to a shared commitment.