Kremlin spokesman: Europe Cannot Join Abu Dhabi Ukraine Negotiations
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says European participation in the Abu Dhabi Ukraine talks on Nov. 10-11 is impossible, as the US mediates between Russia and Ukraine.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that it is impossible for European representatives to take part in the Ukraine settlement negotiations in Abu Dhabi, pointing to a trilateral format that has already been agreed.
Speaking to the newspaper Vesti about the possibility of European participation in the upcoming contacts, Peskov was direct. “No, these negotiations are impossible because we are talking about an agreed trilateral format. That is, Russia and Ukraine, with the United States as a mediator,” he said.
He noted that Europeans are unable to determine who has the right to hold a dialogue with Russia.
Peskov added: “Security issues will be discussed, especially those related to security guarantees. That will only happen with the agreement of both parties.”
At the same time, Peskov declined to reveal details of the upcoming negotiations, noting that specific issues must be discussed in closed sessions.
The negotiations on Ukraine will be held in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11. Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will lead the talks for the Russian side.
Earlier on Nov. 3, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington hopes to achieve new steps toward settling the Ukrainian conflict during the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi and Brussels.
He wrote on the platform X: “The United States will mediate working-group-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on Nov. 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi, as part of President Trump’s efforts to end the war.The negotiations will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and the next steps toward achieving peace.”