Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi: Europeans are "well represented" according to France

According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, European representatives will take part in the upcoming negotiations between Ukraine and Russia under US mediation. "The Europeans will be well represented. France will be present in Abu Dhabi to take part in these talks," Barrot said in an interview with French radio station RTL.

He did not comment on details. "I can't tell you yet who will represent France on this occasion," said Barrot. The minister said Europeans had raised their voices in recent weeks and made it clear to US mediators that no discussion about the continent's future could ignore their demands.

Barrot continued that similar discussions had taken place in the past, "sometimes with the Europeans, sometimes without the Europeans." "This time they will participate." France will “make the voice of Europe heard, which is primarily affected”.

Talks between negotiators from Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the USA, are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi. This is supposed to be about a possible end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It is the first meeting in this format since February.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday after a meeting with an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin a "very big" agreement with Russia that could affect not only Ukraine but potentially "all of Europe."

A spokesman for the federal government said on Friday that negotiations on Europe's security and peace in Ukraine would be "not productive" without European participation. With a view to the planned negotiations in Abu Dhabi, he said that the federal government was “closely involved” with European partners.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday that a peace agreement in the Ukraine war should not be concluded without the EU states. A spokeswoman for the EU Commission emphasized that it was “a matter for the European Union” to decide on issues “that affect its security.”

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Europe's approach to the Ukraine negotiations on Thursday; she called for a joint EU negotiating representation.