Europe agrees to discuss security with Russia before ceasefire

Tactical shift in Abu Dhabi

Representatives of the European Union, the North Atlantic Alliance and the United Kingdom have officially stated their readiness to engage in dialogue regarding a new security system in Europe. This issue was previously raised by the US and Russia to advance negotiations on ending the war. This reaction served as a comment on the results of the first day of negotiations held in Abu Dhabi.

Conditions for future security

In a joint statement published on the website of the European Council, it is noted that any new security architecture must be based on existing institutions and agreements, primarily NATO. It is emphasised that the final formation of such a system is possible only after the complete end of the war in Ukraine.

«Поряд із головним завданням — встановленням міцного миру — учасники обговорювали, як використовувати наявні європейські інститути та угоди у сфері безпеки після завершення війни. Вони також визнали, що вирішення питань безпеки в післявоєнний період і зниження ризику нових конфліктів мають ключове значення. Сторони розглянули способи створення надійних механізмів управління ризиками та запобігання небезпечній ескалації. Учасники підтвердили спільну прихильність створенню стійкої післявоєнної архітектури європейської безпеки та наголосили, що сильний НАТО залишиться центральним елементом євроатлантичної колективної оборони» (Alongside the main task of establishing a durable peace, participants discussed how to use existing European institutions and agreements in the security sector after the end of the war. They also acknowledged that resolving security issues in the post-war period and reducing the risk of new conflicts are of key importance. The parties examined ways to create reliable risk management mechanisms and prevent dangerous escalation. Participants confirmed their shared commitment to creating a sustainable post-war European security architecture and emphasised that a strong NATO will remain the central element of Euro-Atlantic collective defence), the official summary of the meeting between European delegates and representatives of the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi states.

Politico analysis: tactical manoeuvre

Previously, European states refused to discuss the post-war security architecture with Russia before the end of hostilities. Now they are demonstrating openness to such a dialogue.

According to Politico, this change in position may be a "tactical move". The main goal of this step is to "demonstrate readiness" to consider a new security system to prompt Russia to make concessions regarding Ukraine during the current negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

«Союзники України мають намір показати достатню відкритість до ширшого перегляду системи безпеки, щоб спонукати Росію висунути нові пропозиції та досягти прогресу на предметних мирних переговорах» (Ukraine's allies intend to show sufficient openness to a broader review of the security system to prompt Russia to put forward new proposals and achieve progress in substantive peace negotiations), Politico reports, citing sources among European officials. According to them, it is "important for Europe to maintain a thoughtful sequence of steps in these two parallel directions" — discussing the security architecture and the ceasefire process.

Departure from previous agreements

The Politico publication appears to be an attempt to justify Europe's departure from the previously established line, according to which security issues were to be discussed exclusively after a ceasefire.

In accordance with the official joint statement, European countries agreed with the position of the US and Russia to begin discussions on a new security architecture in Europe before a ceasefire, in order to implement it after the end of the war.