Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi include Russia, US and France

Representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States will meet in Abu Dhabi on consecutive days to seek an exit from the war started by Vladimir Putin almost five years ago. The meeting is not the first attempt at negotiation, and there is no reason to consider this appointment decisive.

The Russian delegation will again be led by Vladimir Medinsky, Putin's adviser who took part in previous talks. This time he will be joined by Sergei Ryabkov, deputy foreign minister responsible for relations with the United States and arms control. Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and senior General Staff officer Yuri Zhigarlovsky will also attend.

“A count is negotiating conditions to stop the war, another is renegotiating the security architecture of the continent.”

The delegation brings together diplomacy, security and military apparatus. Ryabkov's presence suggests Moscow may be preparing to discuss not only occupied territories and a ceasefire but also strategic relations with Washington.

Donald Trump has raised the possibility of a major agreement with Russia that could involve all of Europe. He has not explained its contents, and this vagueness should worry European governments.

Negotiating conditions to stop the war is one thing; renegotiating the continent's security architecture is another. Russia has previously made clear that by a new European architecture it means limits on NATO, reduced Western military presence in Eastern Europe and recognition of its own sphere of influence.

France's presence, announced by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also in the name of Europe, has suddenly and unexpectedly forced a redefinition of the situation. The Ukrainian war negotiation could become a negotiation on the future of European security, though the French role remains uncertain and does not yet resolve the question of who represents Europe.