Russia wants Abu Dhabi talks to focus on postwar European security, with Ukraine just ‘one aspect’ of broader discussions, Reuters reports

Russian officials intend to center discussions at upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on a postwar European security agreement, according to a source within the Russian delegation, Reuters reports. While Ukraine's settlement is deemed "critical importance," it is viewed as merely one aspect of these extensive deliberations, subservient to the overarching goal of establishing a comprehensive and indivisible security framework across the entire continent.

The talks, attended by representatives of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, exclude European negotiators. In the lead-up to the meeting, U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in separate conversations with Ukrainian and European representatives. Subsequently, Witkoff expressed his desire to broaden the negotiations to encompass "multilateral discussions involving European partners."

In early November, via his social media platform, U.S. presidential envoy Jared Kushner announced that Washington is spearheading the development of a new European security system, aiming to accommodate the interests of all parties involved. This announcement reportedly came as a "complete surprise" to Europe. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas countered that Europe already possesses a robust European security architecture; her chief concern remains Russia's persistent violation of the treaties that support it.