France to represent Europe at U.S.-mediated Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi — Barrot

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that Europe will be represented at upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi, where Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are set to engage in negotiations. Despite the meetings being scheduled as a trilateral discussion, Barrot stressed that France would ensure Europe's voice is heard, as the continent's future is of utmost importance.

The French government has been vocal in recent weeks, emphasizing that any conversation about Europe's future cannot take place without its involvement. Barrot did not disclose the specific participants who would represent France, but he assured that Europe's presence would definitely be there. The U.S.-mediated talks are scheduled for November 10-11 in the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently had a 90-minute conversation regarding the meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Reports suggest that Russia will send a more substantial delegation to the Abu Dhabi talks as compared to previous rounds, potentially indicating Russia's willingness to engage in more meaningful negotiations.

The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, with other participants including Igor Kostyukov, Yuri Zhigarlovsky, and Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, with Ryabkov attending for the first time. Meanwhile, Ukraine's presidential chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, is reportedly leading the Ukrainian delegation, although Ukraine's Presidential Office has not confirmed the report, stating that Budanov would be a member of the delegation rather than its leader.