Russia Rejects EU Role in Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
Russia has excluded European Union officials from upcoming US-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi, despite assertions from the EU and Ukraine that they will be present.
The Federal Government of Russia has rejected the inclusion of European Union officials in US-mediated peace talks scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that while the United States and Ukraine may maintain their own communication channels with Europe, the official negotiation table will remain a trilateral format involving only Russia, Ukraine, and the US.
In contrast, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that the EU would be present alongside its partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky coordinated positions with von der Leyen ahead of the summit, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the trilateral format delivers results. National security advisers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—forming a European troika—plan to attend an initial meeting and remain nearby, though a German official noted their final level of involvement will be determined as discussions progress.
European powers are pushing for a settlement fair to Kyiv to prevent the Trump administration from granting Russia security guarantees without European consultation. These concerns follow statements by President Donald Trump and envoy Jared Kushner regarding a new broader European security architecture. The Russian delegation will be led by chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky and include Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov along with military and intelligence officials.
