Europe and Russia at odds over participation in Abu Dhabi peace talks

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Baroux has confirmed that representatives from France, the UK, and Germany will take part in the upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, a position that contradicts the Kremlin's statement that negotiations will be limited to delegations from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, with no European officials present.

Speaking to France Info radio on Tuesday, Baroux said the three European countries would have representatives in the meeting room, stressing that any discussion with Russia about European security cannot precede an agreement on a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday that the Abu Dhabi talks would be held in a trilateral format involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, clarifying that European delegations would not participate, and that Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington maintain separate channels of communication with their European partners.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that there are no plans for meetings between the Russian delegation and NATO representatives during the Abu Dhabi negotiations.

The talks, scheduled for November 10 and 11, will focus on ways to end the war and post-conflict security arrangements, amid ongoing US consultations with Ukraine and European partners, including the European Union, NATO, Germany, France, the UK, and Italy.

US efforts to end the war

US envoy Jared Kushner said in a post on X that President Joe Biden is determined to end the war, noting that American efforts aim to reach a negotiated settlement that ensures lasting peace and safeguards Ukraine's sovereignty, security, and prosperity within a more stable European environment.

Kushner explained that consultations with European partners will precede the negotiations, aiming to coordinate positions on Ukraine's future and post-war security arrangements, paving the way for Russian and Ukrainian delegations to directly discuss their security concerns and proposals.

He expressed hope that the talks would help identify common ground and develop practical solutions to advance negotiations, emphasizing that achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement also requires direct dialogue between Russia and European partners on security arrangements affecting the continent.

In a related development, Russia's Sputnik news agency quoted a source on the negotiating team as saying that the Russian delegation has departed for Abu Dhabi to participate in the talks, marking the first trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States since February.