Washington seeks to include Europe in next stage of peace talks with Russia

The United States is attempting to secure full participation from European states in the next stage of the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia. Washington views the current trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi as the last one where European representatives will not be present at the main discussion table, Politico reports, citing sources among US officials.

US position on involving Europeans

US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are set to raise the issue of integrating European partners into the discussions during the talks, which begin today in the UAE capital. One US official emphasised: «Нам потрібна Європа за столом переговорів. Тому наша пропозиція — залучити європейців до обговорення після цієї тристоронньої зустрічі» (We need Europe at the negotiating table. Therefore, our proposal is to involve Europeans in the discussion after this trilateral meeting).

Although delegations from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy, as well as representatives of NATO and EU institutions, have already arrived in Abu Dhabi, they will not participate in the main sessions due to objections from Moscow. Instead, Kushner and Witkoff plan to hold separate consultations with European representatives.

Agenda and security issues

According to the publication, the first day of the meeting will be dedicated to discussing security guarantees for Ukraine and potential transformations in Europe's security architecture. The second day is scheduled for discussions on territorial issues.

European governments have expressed concern that US President Donald Trump may make concessions to the long-standing demands of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin regarding limiting NATO's influence in the region. Meanwhile, US officials assure that the Alliance will retain a key role in Europe's defence system. At the same time, Washington considers it necessary to fundamentally review relations between Europe and Russia.

«Очевидно, щось не працює. Ми повинні побудувати щось нове, що відповідатиме сьогоднішнім умовам» (Obviously, something is not working. We must build something new that will meet today's conditions), a US official noted. According to him, during closed sessions, Russia and Ukraine have already demonstrated some flexibility on the territorial issue.

Expectations from the meeting's results

Washington does not expect a final ceasefire agreement to be signed as a result of the current meeting. The US side defines the main task of the negotiations as maintaining the momentum of dialogue. The US also emphasises the need to consider territorial issues and future security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe simultaneously.

Previously, the Kremlin also stated the need for European participation in the negotiations if it concerns the formation of the future security system on the continent.