Zelensky, von der Leyen align positions ahead of Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to align positions ahead of US-mediated talks with Russia scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi this week.

European leaders are stepping up diplomatic efforts to ensure that any potential peace agreement is fair to Ukraine and does not allow Washington to negotiate new security arrangements with Moscow at Europe’s expense.

Following his conversation with von der Leyen, Zelensky said on X that they had “coordinated our positions regarding the meeting in Abu Dhabi.”

“We are doing everything to ensure that the trilateral format delivers results,” he added.

Von der Leyen also confirmed that the European Union would be represented at the talks, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. “The EU will be present alongside our partners,” she wrote on social media, echoing remarks made over the weekend by France’s foreign minister.

An EU official told AFP that national security representatives from the EU, NATO, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would attend the discussions. However, their precise role in the negotiations remains unclear.

“Exact formats we will see when we get there,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin maintained that the negotiations would proceed in the established trilateral format involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said separate communication channels already existed between Ukraine and European countries, as well as between Washington and European capitals.

Concerns have grown among European allies following US President Donald Trump’s prediction of a “very big” deal with Russia that could extend beyond the war in Ukraine to encompass “all of Europe.”

Trump’s envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has also raised concerns in European capitals after announcing that Washington was working towards “a broader European security architecture that can help establish the conditions for lasting peace” in Ukraine.

Kushner joined a meeting in Brussels last week, held with European, Ukrainian and NATO officials, via video link. He has indicated that the United States intends to consult European partners on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi negotiations.

European governments have consistently opposed Moscow’s efforts to reshape the continent’s security framework.

Before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia issued an ultimatum to NATO that included demands for the withdrawal of alliance forces from Eastern Europe.

The latest diplomatic developments highlight Europe’s determination to remain involved in decisions affecting its security, even as Washington pursues direct negotiations with Moscow over the future of the war in Ukraine.