France to attend Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi
European diplomats will join US-mediated negotiations with Russia and Ukraine this week, following Trump's suggestion of a continental deal.
By Hassan Ellis ·
European governments will participate in the upcoming peace talks for Ukraine, held in Abu Dhabi. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed on Sunday that France will send representatives to the meeting. The discussions are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday under American mediation.
Barrot told RTL radio that "The Europeans will be represented and France will be in Abu Dhabi to participate in these talks." He stated that France will ensure Europe's voice is heard during the sessions. This inclusion marks a shift from earlier plans, which described the event as a trilateral gathering of officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
The confirmation comes after US President Donald Trump predicted a "very big" deal with Russia. Trump said the agreement would cover not only the Ukraine war but "all of Europe." His comments raised concerns in European capitals about a potential shift in US policy toward the Kremlin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long sought European involvement in any peace process. Moscow previously suggested there would be no place for European representatives at the table. Barrot acknowledged that formats have changed in the past, noting that discussions have sometimes excluded Europeans. He added that "this time they will participate."
Preparations for the summit took place in Brussels on Thursday. Officials from the US, Europe, Ukraine, and NATO met to coordinate ahead of the Abu Dhabi sessions. A NATO spokeswoman said the participants sought to advance a just and sustainable end to the war.
Jared Kushner, the US president's envoy, joined the Brussels meeting by video link. He stated that Washington is working on a European security architecture to help establish conditions for lasting peace. Kushner said the US will consult closely with European partners on the sidelines of the talks. He added that if progress is made, the United States aims to move toward a multilateral format with direct European participation.
European allies have historically resisted Moscow's attempts to redraw the continent's security arrangements. In 2022, before the full-scale invasion, the Kremlin demanded the withdrawal of NATO troops from eastern Europe. The alliance rejected that demand. The identities of other participants in the Abu Dhabi talks have not been made public.
