Peace talks involving Kyiv, Moscow and Washington have begun in Abu Dhabi, according to Russia’s RIA news agency, which cited a source.
European representatives are also travelling to the United Arab Emirates, seeking a role in the negotiations. They are expected to hold separate meetings with the Ukrainian and US delegations alongside the trilateral discussions.
European countries seek a place at the negotiating table
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday that European representatives would be present at the talks in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Franceinfo radio, he said the UK, Germany and France would be in the room for the discussions. He added that Russia and Europe could not negotiate European security before a ceasefire and peace agreement had been reached.
The French presidency also stressed that lasting peace in Ukraine could not be achieved without addressing European security, while no agreement on Europe’s security could be reached without European involvement.
It said representatives from France, the UK, Germany, the European Union, NATO and Italy would attend the talks.
The previous round of negotiations took place in Geneva in February but was subsequently put on hold following the outbreak of the war in Iran, after Israeli and US strikes.
US envoys seek progress in negotiations
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have pushed for the resumption of negotiations, travelling to Moscow in September and then visiting Kyiv for the first time.
They are expected to lead the US delegation in Abu Dhabi.
Kushner said on Monday that the aim was to discuss Ukrainian and Russian concerns directly, particularly those relating to post-war security, and to identify concrete solutions that could create momentum for the next stage of negotiations.
US President Donald Trump predicted last Thursday that a “very big deal” with Russia over Ukraine could be reached, potentially involving the whole of Europe.
His remarks followed weeks of criticism of Kyiv and accusations that he wanted to encourage economic cooperation with the Kremlin.
Ukraine and European countries have opposed any agreement reached without their participation.
Kyiv has limited expectations as talks resume
A senior Ukrainian official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Kyiv had no particular expectations from the negotiations, adding that developments would have to be assessed on the ground.
Germany said it remained to be seen whether Russia was genuinely prepared to negotiate seriously.
A US official, meanwhile, said they were cautiously optimistic, arguing that both Kyiv and Moscow had shown some flexibility during private discussions.
As in Geneva, Ukraine’s delegation is being led by chief negotiator Rustem Umerov, while Russia’s team is headed by nationalist historian Vladimir Medinsky.
Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation would also hold separate consultations with partners from the EU, NATO and the UK on the sidelines of the talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had coordinated with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the negotiations.
Ukraine holds separate meetings with European partners
Umerov said on Tuesday that the Ukrainian delegation had begun work in the UAE, holding meetings with representatives from the UK, EU and NATO, as well as US envoys Witkoff and Kushner, before the trilateral talks with Russia and the United States.
In a post on X, he said the first meeting would bring together representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, alongside the US envoys.
He said the purpose was to align their positions.
Meanwhile, Zelensky is due to travel to Denmark on Tuesday to meet Nordic leaders, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced.
Frederiksen will host Zelensky and the leaders of Nordic countries to discuss military support for Ukraine and European security, among other issues.
Also read: US moves military aircraft from Britain amid possible Iran-linked threat
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