EU to Send Officials to Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

The European Union will send representatives from the European Commission and the European Council to the trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, according to POLITICO and BGNES.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the EU's participation in a post on X, writing that “the EU will be present alongside our partners.” She also said “Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved” and reiterated support for a ceasefire covering food and energy infrastructure.

The joint EU delegation will be led by Bjoern Seibert, von der Leyen’s chief of staff, and Anna-Maria Boura, chief foreign policy adviser to European Council President António Costa. Representatives from France, Germany and the United Kingdom will also join the European delegation, according to BGNES.

It remains unclear whether the European contingent will be inside the room for the talks. POLITICO reported that a German official said the format of negotiations would “be determined as the discussions progress,” while another EU official said the Europeans would not be inside the room.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations

Russia will send a delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, including Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, according to BGNES. Kyiv Post adds that the delegation also includes Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia (commonly known as the GRU), and senior General Staff officer Yuri Zhigarloffsky.

Ukraine’s delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, according to the Kyiv Independent. The team will also include David Arakhamia, Kyrylo Budanov and Serhii Kyslytsia, Arakhamia confirmed.

U.S. position and Kremlin response

The United States will be represented by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to BGNES. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “Perhaps some progress can be made tomorrow in Abu Dhabi, when Jared and Steve are there,” as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the talks in Abu Dhabi are trilateral and do not involve European participation. “What will take place in Abu Dhabi over the coming days are trilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States,” Peskov said, as quoted by TASS and reported by Il Sole 24 Ore.

European divisions

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote to Costa last week criticizing the changing format of talks with Russia, according to POLITICO. BGNES reported that Meloni criticized the “chaos” surrounding the diplomatic formats and called for the appointment of a special European envoy. Costa agreed to place the issue on the agenda of an informal summit in Dublin, Ireland, scheduled for this week immediately after the Abu Dhabi talks.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski supported Meloni’s position and warned that the interests of Eastern European countries must be taken into account. “The last thing we want is for Western Europe to negotiate with Russia over the heads of Eastern Europeans,” Sikorski said in Warsaw, according to BGNES.

Why it matters

The EU’s participation in the Abu Dhabi talks marks a shift in Europe’s diplomatic role in the Ukraine peace process, though the Kremlin maintains the negotiations are strictly trilateral between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. The talks are scheduled for November 10-11, 2026, and will be followed by an informal EU summit in Dublin where leaders will discuss how the bloc is represented at peace talks.

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Sources

• politico.eu: EU sends 2 senior officials to Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi – POLITICO
• bgnes.com: EU Joins Ukraine Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi as First Direct Negotiations with Russia Remain Possible | BGNES
• kyivpost.com: Russia Sends High-Level Delegation to Abu Dhabi Talks
• en.ilsole24ore.com: Ukraine: von der Leyen says, ‘The EU will be present at the Abu Dhabi talks’. But the Kremlin puts the brakes on: only a trilateral meeting - Il Sole 24 ORE
• kyivindependent.com: Umerov to lead Ukraine delegation in Abu Dhabi peace talks despite media confusion, top official confirms

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.