France to represent Europe at US-mediated Ukraine-US-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi
France will participate in and represent Europe at the US-mediated Ukraine-US-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. The talks are expected to focus on further steps toward peace, postwar security arrangements and de-escalation. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro did not say who would represent France.
Key points
- The trilateral talks are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
- The United States is organizing and mediating the meeting.
- France will represent Europe and seek to ensure European expectations are heard.
- The agenda includes further steps toward peace, postwar security and de-escalation.
- Rustem Umerov will lead Ukraine's delegation, with Kyrylo Budanov as a member.
- Vladimir Medinsky will lead Russia's delegation.
- The previous Ukraine-US-Russia round in Geneva in mid-February produced no progress in resolving the conflict.
Why it matters
France's attendance means Europe will have a direct voice in discussions about ending the war, postwar security and de-escalation. Paris says it will press the US mediator to take European expectations and demands into account. The meeting is also significant as a new trilateral round after the previous Geneva talks failed to yield progress in resolving the conflict.
What happened
France announced on November 8 that it would join the Ukraine-US-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi and represent Europe. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro made the announcement on RTL but did not identify France's representative. The US-organized and US-mediated talks are scheduled for November 10–11, with the agenda expected to include further steps toward peace, postwar security arrangements and de-escalation. Ukrainian reports identify Rustem Umerov as the head of Ukraine's delegation and Vladimir Medinsky as the head of Russia's delegation; Bloomberg reported that Russia would send a higher-level delegation than before.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage highlights France's participation and Paris's aim of ensuring that Europe is heard, alongside reports on the composition and leadership of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations. It also notes that European officials want Eastern Europe's security interests and expectations taken into account in discussions about the continent's future.
How international sources describe it
International coverage focuses on France representing Europe at the talks, the US role as organizer and mediator, and the agenda of ending the war, postwar security and de-escalation. It also notes that the previous Geneva round produced no progress and that Russia's delegation is expected to be higher-level than before.
Where reporting differs
Earlier Ukrainian reporting said Kyrylo Budanov would head the delegation, but the Office of the President of Ukraine said he would be a member and Rustem Umerov would lead it. France's announcement also contrasts with an earlier Russian position that Europeans were not needed under the current approach.
Background
The US and Ukraine had considered the E3 format comprising Britain, France and Germany as the likely way to represent Europe. Zelensky held a 90-minute conversation with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on November 4 about the Abu Dhabi meeting. European officials are reportedly willing to discuss postwar security under a Russia-NATO Council model only after a ceasefire, while Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned against negotiations that ignore Eastern Europe's security interests.