Who’s who for Europe at the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi
European officials won’t be in the room where it happens in the United Arab Emirates. But they will be attempting to influence negotiations on the margins.
European officials travel to Abu Dhabi to participate in U.S.-brokered talks aimed at ending Russia's war on Ukraine. This comes amid growing concerns in Europe about potential concessions to Russia following Jared Kushner's statement on a "new European security architecture." Ukraine will be represented by Rustem Umerov, head of the country's foreign intelligence service, along with Kyrylo Budanov and David Arakhamia.
Russia will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. U.S. participation includes Jared Kushner and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Key European players include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's foreign and security policy adviser, Günter Sautter, who is coordinating a German-led coalition to support Ukraine's peace talks. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's diplomatic adviser, Fabrizio Saggio, will also attend. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's chief of staff, Geoffrey van Leeuwen, will observe and report back on the discussions, primarily focusing on NATO's interests.
U.K. National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is expected to attend on behalf of the United Kingdom, coming on the heels of a recent push by Meloni for greater European representation in the talks.
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