France to join US-brokered Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi
European participation confirms a shift from the earlier trilateral format for the November 10 and 11 negotiations.
By Yasmin Farouk ·
France will send a delegation to the US-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Sunday.
Barrot told RTL radio that European representatives would be present at the summit. "The Europeans will be represented and France will be in Abu Dhabi to participate in these talks," he said.
The meeting had been previously described as a trilateral session involving officials from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. European participation was not initially confirmed. Russia had indicated that European representatives would not be at the table, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought their involvement.
Barrot noted that past discussions occurred with and without European presence. "This time they will participate," he stated. "France will be there and will ensure that Europe's voice is heard."
The announcement followed President Donald Trump's prediction of a "very big" deal with Russia that would involve the Ukraine war and "all of Europe." The comments raised concerns among European allies about a potential US shift toward the Kremlin.
US, European, Ukrainian, and NATO officials met in Brussels on Thursday to prepare for the Abu Dhabi negotiations. Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law and envoy, joined the Brussels session by videolink.
Kushner said the United States is working on "a broader European security architecture that can help establish the conditions for lasting peace." He added that Washington will consult with European partners on the sidelines of the talks. "If progress is made, aim to move toward a broader multilateral format with their direct participation," Kushner said.
