In brief: Ukraine's delegation has departed for Abu Dhabi for two days of trilateral talks with the US and Russia. Kyiv will also hold separate meetings with representatives of four European countries, NATO, and the European Commission.
The Ukrainian delegation has departed for Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ahead of trilateral talks involving representatives of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU), announced the departure on Telegram.
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Umerov said that representatives of European countries – specifically the so-called E4 group, comprising the UK, France, Germany, and Italy – as well as delegates from NATO and the European Commission, will also be in Abu Dhabi during the talks. The Ukrainian delegation will hold separate meetings with them.
He added that close coordination with all key partners is fundamental to Ukraine, as it will help ensure aligned positions and a shared understanding of next steps.
“As directed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, we are doing everything to ensure that Europe remains a participant in the diplomatic process,” Umerov wrote.
He also thanked the UAE for providing a venue for the negotiations and for its steadfast support. Umerov thanked US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their active involvement and preparations for the meetings.
“Our goal is a long-term and sustainable peace, guaranteed security for Ukraine, and concrete opportunities for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. Thank you to everyone who is helping,” Umerov added.
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European countries are reportedly divided over how much involvement they should have in the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi. France, Germany, and the UK are expected to send national security advisers as representatives of the E3 group, while Italy and Poland are pushing for broader European participation.
Germany will be represented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s foreign and security policy adviser, Gunter Sautter, who is expected to coordinate with Washington, the EU, NATO, and other European partners.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also confirmed that France would send representatives.
The disagreement stems partly from plans to discuss a new European security architecture during the negotiations, raising concerns that decisions affecting Europe’s future could be made without sufficient European involvement.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned against Western European countries negotiating with Russia over the heads of Eastern Europeans.
A German official described the Abu Dhabi meeting as an initial session, with E3 representatives expected to brief other European participants on the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting in Dublin.
Berlin has also outlined four principles for a potential peace settlement, including ending Russia’s war before discussing a new European security order, securing agreement among NATO allies, ensuring European involvement in security decisions, and making any deal part of a comprehensive settlement.
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