Europeans join US-led Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi as security guarantees top the agenda

European officials will join the US-led Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi, France’s foreign minister said⁴. The Europeans are taking part in a bid to thwart Russian security demands¹. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is taking part in the talks⁸.

The two-day session begins on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and will look at security guarantees for both Russia and Ukraine³. US envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington would bring delegations from Ukraine and Russia together in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11⁴. The meetings will be the first direct negotiations in nine months on ending the nearly five-year war⁷.

The European role is the new element in this round, alongside the delegations from Washington, Moscow and Kyiv^1,4,8.

Why it matters to investors

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said security guarantees are central to the talks⁹. The process is led by Witkoff, the administration’s peace envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law². Kushner said the priorities will be ending the conflict¹⁰.

Experts cautioned that the meetings were unlikely to yield a major breakthrough⁷. The talks follow previous rounds of negotiations early this year that failed³. Russia and Ukraine battered each other with long-range strikes a day before the talks¹⁰.

Europe’s role is contested. The EU wants a greater say in the talks, and Norway’s prime minister, who spoke to Vladimir Putin last month, warned that the Russian leader is not interested in peace⁶. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov voiced hope that President Donald Trump will continue to pursue his peace efforts after the US election¹¹.

What to watch

Rubio, referring to Kushner and Witkoff, set limited expectations before the session⁹. “Nothing’s been finalised yet, and maybe some progress can be made in Abu Dhabi tomorrow” when the two envoys are there, he said⁵. Another account of the same remarks quoted him as saying: “Perhaps some progress can be made tomorrow in Abu Dhabi, when Jared and Steve are there”⁸.

The main marker is whether the security guarantees discussed in Abu Dhabi cover both sides, as US officials have said they will^3,9. The second is whether the European delegation can shape those terms, given its stated aim of thwarting Russian security demands^1,6.

The talks open on Tuesday and run for two days^3,4.