Europe will be represented in Abu Dhabi talks on Ukraine, French foreign minister says
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced Sunday that European nations will participate in U.S.-mediated peace talks on Ukraine scheduled in Abu Dhabi, with Russia and Ukraine also expected to attend. The Kremlin said it is upgrading its delegation to include military officials alongside diplomats. Ukraine confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead its delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees will be a key focus. The talks represent the first major multilateral negotiation since the war began.
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- ✓ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Europeans will be represented at the Abu Dhabi talks.
- ✓ The Kremlin said Russian diplomats and military officials will join the talks with the U.S. and Ukraine.
- ✓ Ukraine confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead its delegation in Abu Dhabi.
- ✓ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees are a key focus of the upcoming talks.
What changed
France formally confirmed European participation in the Abu Dhabi talks, reversing the exclusion of European powers from prior negotiation rounds.
Live updates
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France confirms Europe will join Abu Dhabi Ukraine talks despite Kremlin objections
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced Sunday that European nations will participate in U.S.-mediated peace talks on Ukraine scheduled in Abu Dhabi, with Russia and Ukraine also expected to attend. The Kremlin said it is upgrading its delegation to include military officials alongside diplomats. Ukraine confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead its delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees will be a key focus. The talks represent the first major multilateral negotiation since the war began.
Why it matters
Previous U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia excluded European and Ukrainian representatives, drawing sharp criticism from EU capitals and Kyiv. The Kremlin had signaled opposition to European participation, viewing the conflict as a matter for direct U.S.-Russia negotiation. France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have insisted that any durable settlement requires European involvement on security guarantees and reconstruction.
What is confirmed
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Europeans will be represented at the Abu Dhabi talks.
- The Kremlin said Russian diplomats and military officials will join the talks with the U.S. and Ukraine.
- Ukraine confirmed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov will lead its delegation in Abu Dhabi.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees are a key focus of the upcoming talks.
Still unconfirmed
- A top Ukrainian official expressed "restrained optimism" about an eventual Putin-Zelenskyy meeting.
- Zelenskyy warned that Trump's peace plan is dangerous.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of exact dates and participant list for Abu Dhabi talks
- Whether Russia formally accepts European presence at the negotiating table
- Details of U.S. security guarantee proposals for Ukraine
confidence 88%Sources used for this update (12)
- CBS News — Top Ukrainian official expresses "restrained optimism" about eventual Putin-Zelenskyy meeting ahead of trilateral talks
- Reuters — Russian diplomats and military officials to join talks with US and Ukraine, Kremlin says
- Politico — Russia upgrades Abu Dhabi delegation as Zelenskyy warns Trump's plan is dangerous
- The Kyiv Independent — Umerov to lead Ukraine delegation in Abu Dhabi peace talks despite media confusion, top official confirms
- Reuters — Europeans will join Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, French foreign minister says
- politico.eu — Europe will be represented in Abu Dhabi talks on Ukraine, French foreign minister says
- Euronews.com — Europeans to join Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, says France
- NPR — Europe to join U.S.-brokered Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi, defying Kremlin objections
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: post war ‘security guarantees’ a key focus in upcoming Abu Dhabi talks, says Rubio
- www.governo.it — Statement on today's meeting in Abu Dhabi between the EU, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United States and NATO
- www.france24.com — Europe will take part in US-mediated Ukraine talks in Abu ...
- www.arabnews.com — Europe will be represented at US-mediated Ukraine talks in ...
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