Ukraine negotiations have begun in Abu Dhabi – this German is there

According to Ukrainian sources, talks about a possible end to the Russian war of aggression began in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning.

First, representatives from Ukraine will meet with representatives from Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy as well as NATO and the European Commission. Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umjerov announced this on Telegram. He also published a photo of the meeting, which also included US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

The meeting between the US, Ukraine and Russia will focus on developing mechanisms to counter threats and strengthen regional stability, an insider from the Russian delegation said. “While the Ukraine settlement, as an issue of critical importance, is only one aspect of this far-reaching discussion, it is subordinate to the main goal - the creation of a comprehensive and indivisible security architecture for the entire continent,” the insider was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

Günter Sautter, foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, traveled to Abu Dhabi for Germany, as the “Politico” portal reports. The experienced diplomat became a central figure in German efforts to end the war.

Sautter represents Germany in the so-called E3 format with France and Great Britain and at the same time coordinates the “Berlin format” led by Germany. Ukraine, European states, NATO and the EU as well as other partners such as Canada should coordinate their positions in the peace talks and their support for Kiev.

Merz highlighted Sautter's role just last week. According to Politico, his advisor is now dedicating “a significant portion of his work to diplomatic efforts to end this war.” Sautter takes a clear position: In his view, a future European security architecture should only be discussed once Russia has agreed to a ceasefire.

This is also important because Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to US President Donald Trump, announced last week that the negotiations would be about a “new European security architecture”. According to Politico, this sparked concerns in Europe about possible concessions to Russia. Russian representatives use the term, among other things, in connection with a smaller NATO presence on the eastern flank and restrictions on the Ukrainian armed forces.

In addition to Sautter, other high-ranking European representatives are taking part in the talks in Abu Dhabi. Britain is sending national security adviser Jonathan Powell, who, according to Politico, has a particularly close relationship with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Chief of Staff to Secretary General Mark Rutte, is there for NATO. The EU will be represented, among others, by Björn Seibert, head of cabinet of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“We will coordinate our positions and coordinate the next steps before the next stage of negotiations,” said Umyerov, a Ukrainian. Negotiations will then take place in a trilateral format between representatives of Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the USA, for the first time since February.

However, the Europeans are not allowed to be at the table during these actual negotiations. Two high-ranking representatives familiar with the planned format told Politico that there were no plans for the European delegation to take part in the main negotiations. However, a German representative told the medium that the format would be determined “in the course of the discussions”. The Kremlin has spoken out against direct participation by Europeans.

Umyerov listed Ukraine's top priorities as “the cessation of hostilities, reliable security guarantees after the war, the economic recovery and development of Ukraine, and humanitarian measures.” The aim is to make progress on these points and bring peace closer.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression with Western support for more than four and a half years. Previous negotiations mediated by the USA have not produced a breakthrough. However, both sides agreed on humanitarian measures on several occasions, including the exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers.