Ukraine and Russia are talking to each other again. For the first time since February, we will be talking today and tomorrow - in Abu Dhabi, with the USA mediating.
And Europe? Have to make do with an unpopular place, says Wolfgang Ischinger, head of the Munich Security Conference, to Deutschlandfunk: "Where is Europe here at the negotiating table? So far I only see Europe at the cat's table."
The cat table, does that mean: there, but away? The Chancellery's security policy advisor Günter Sautter is also on site. As did his counterparts from France and Great Britain. This group of three, also known as E3, demands closer involvement in the negotiations.
Europe needs clear goals
Boris Mijatovic, foreign policy expert from the Greens, does not see Europe lagging behind: "The Europeans have always made it clear in their position where they stand, have always done their part in previous formats to ensure that negotiations take place and therefore these negotiations are really about the question of 'How do you achieve what?', and not 'Who'."
Security expert Claudia Major points out: If the Europeans want to be at the table, they need clear levers and clear goals: "What is the Europeans' vision for an end to the war, for a ceasefire, for the security order afterwards? And one also has to say: There is no unified European positioning."
Europe is always getting involved
It can work though. For example, after the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska in the summer of 2025. Shortly afterwards, several European heads of state and government were guests at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They made it clear to the US President that a viable peace plan must respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Or like a year ago, when Trump surprisingly presented a 28-point peace plan. This plan was intended to pressure Ukraine into quick concessions. The Europeans insisted on an alternative plan and Kiev's full consent.
So now there are renewed talks under US leadership. Trump whispered over the weekend about a very big deal with Russia that would affect "all of Europe."
There are no signs that Putin wants to negotiate
Claudia Major emphasizes: "So I think what's good for us in Western Europe in particular is to ask: Has anything actually changed in Russia's goals and Russian calculations that the chances of an honest commitment to even a sectoral ceasefire have increased? And so far it's very difficult for me to see any indicators of this."
The security expert believes that it is still more attractive for Russia to continue the war. Despite the high costs, despite the high number of victims.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also currently sees no signs that Russia is ready for serious negotiations. The CDU politician said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Paris: "At the moment we only see murderous attacks against civilians who are completely innocent and who are suffering terribly as a result. And we see no substantial contribution at all to the negotiations gaining serious momentum."
Germany stands firmly on Ukraine’s side
Wadephul still sees an opportunity to one day end the war through negotiations. And it also makes it clear: there is no need for a new European security architecture.
Since the outbreak of the war, Germany has stood firmly on Ukraine's side with billions of dollars in support. The last meeting between a German chancellor and Putin took place almost five years ago, a week before the start of the war. The then Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the Russian ruler at an oversized table. An image that stayed in your memory.
Direct contact with Russia in September
The first direct contact took place again in September. Foreign Minister Wadephul unexpectedly met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, both of whom were at the general debate at the United Nations. Without results.
But Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) also made it clear that he would “not evade” a conversation with Putin at the G20 summit in the USA in December.
