Abu Dhabi Peace Talks
Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States meet in Abu Dhabi for two days of talks starting Tuesday at 7:30 Norwegian time, the first direct negotiations between the warring parties since February, Nettavisen reported.
The talks take place with the United States acting as mediator, while the air war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified.
The Russian delegation is led by Kreml-rådgiver Vladimir Medinskij, accompanied for the first time by viseutenriksminister Sergej Rjabkov and high-ranking officer Jurij Zjigarlovskij, according to Nettavisen.
European Exclusion Disputes
France, Germany, and the European Commission are sending representatives to Abu Dhabi despite clear statements from Moscow rejecting European participation in the formal negotiations, Nettavisen reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized to Russian media that the meeting in the Middle East is a three-party conversation between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, adding that both Ukraine and the US maintain separate communication channels with Europeans.
Ukrainian envoys plan to meet separately with their European allies to brief them on negotiation progress, according to Nettavisen. National security advisers from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, alongside teams from NATO and the EU, will be present in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, VG reported.
US chief negotiator Jared Kushner’s team planned to hold a preliminary meeting with the European envoys ahead of discussions with the Russian delegation.
President Trump is determined to bring an end to this horrible war, which has caused enormous loss of life, destruction, and suffering. We are working hard to find a negotiated solution that can deliver lasting peace and create the conditions for a sovereign, secure, and…
“Det er ikke en situasjon man ønsker seg,” Marianne Riddervold from Arena at UiO and Nupi told VG regarding the exclusion, noting that the talks concern European security. Riddervold stated that Europe wants a voice in the discussions and pointed out that it is not ideal for Europe, as the matter concerns European security.
She added that Europe is Ukraine’s chief supporter, that the situation is much more difficult when the US cannot be entirely relied upon, and noted that EU representation is necessary due to Ukrainian EU membership and the fact that Europe will bear many of the costs, while countries like Norway and the United Kingdom must also be included.
Diplomatic Precedents
US President Donald Trump met privately last week in the White House with one of President Vladimir Putin’s envoys, predicting afterward that a peace agreement could soon be reached, Nettavisen reported.
US President Donald Trump promised to arrange peace between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours of taking office for his second term nearly two years ago. It has now been nine months since the US-led peace talks between Ukraine and Russia broke down without a result, and Trump stated that the goal is a big, beautiful agreement.
Trump previously claimed a deal to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II was imminent without producing a breakthrough, according to Nettavisen.
Goals for a New Security Order Between Europe and Russia
According to US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Tuesday’s meeting will focus on security architecture, de-escalation, and humanitarian issues. Jared Kushner listed five main goals for a new security order between Europe and Russia: fixed security consultations, reliable crisis communication, increased military transparency, mutual risk-reduction measures for escalation, and a lasting framework for long-term European security.
European nations are concerned over American statements indicating that broader European security structures will be on the agenda, and Europe awaits a presentation from the US regarding its future military presence in Europe.
President Trump today advanced an important discussion with several European leaders about the need for a broader European security architecture that can help establish the conditions for lasting peace. Building on his leadership and the substantive work undertaken this week in… https://t.co/jZ9uAQnkd4
Common Questions
- When did the previous negotiations between Ukraine and Russia take place?
- The parties last held talks in February, marking a nine-month pause before the current meetings in Abu Dhabi, according to Nettavisen.
- Who represents the Russian delegation in the Emirates?
- Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinskij leads the team, joined by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and senior officer Yury Zhigarlovsky, Nettavisen reported.
- How are European nations participating despite Moscow’s objections?
- While excluded from the trilateral table, European representatives and NATO teams are stationed in Abu Dhabi to hold separate briefing sessions with the Ukrainian delegation, according to VG.
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