Europe to Join US-Mediated Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — European representatives, including French officials, will participate in upcoming US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, France's foreign minister confirmed Sunday, marking a shift toward greater European involvement in diplomatic efforts to end the war.

"The Europeans will be represented and France will be in Abu Dhabi to participate in these talks," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told RTL radio.

The talks, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, were initially expected to follow a trilateral format involving officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. The identities of the participants have not yet been publicly disclosed.

Barrot's announcement comes after US President Donald Trump raised questions about Washington's approach to the conflict, predicting a "very big" deal with Russia that could extend beyond Ukraine to encompass "all of Europe."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized the importance of involving European allies in negotiations, while Moscow has indicated that it does not want European representatives participating directly at the negotiating table.

Barrot said that previous discussions had taken place both with and without European participation, but stressed that this round would be different.

"France will be there and will ensure that Europe's voice is heard," he said.

The announcement follows a meeting in Brussels on Thursday involving US, European, Ukrainian, and NATO officials ahead of the Abu Dhabi negotiations.

A NATO spokeswoman said the meeting sought to "advance a just and sustainable end to the war in Ukraine."

Jared Kushner, Trump's special envoy and son-in-law, joined the Brussels meeting by videolink, outlining Washington's efforts to develop what he described as "a broader European security architecture that can help establish the conditions for lasting peace."

However, the US approach has been met with caution among European allies, who have consistently rejected Moscow's demands to reshape Europe's security arrangements.

Before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia issued an ultimatum to NATO demanding, among other measures, the withdrawal of alliance forces from Eastern European countries.

NATO rejected the demands.

Kushner said Thursday that Washington would "consult closely with our European partners on the sidelines" of the Abu Dhabi talks, adding that, if progress were made, the United States would seek to move toward a broader multilateral format involving European partners directly.

The upcoming negotiations are expected to test whether Washington can bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to an agreement while addressing Europe's concerns over its security and role in determining the future of the continent.