France to Take Part in Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Paris and its European partners will be represented at the talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia. He did not say who will represent France.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Sunday, November 8, that Paris and its European partners will be represented at the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. The talks are due to take place on November 10–11 in the United Arab Emirates with the participation of delegations from Ukraine, the United States and Russia. He made the statement in an interview with the French radio station RTL.

Barrot did not specify who will represent France at the talks. According to him, Europeans will take part this time, whereas previously such discussions were held sometimes without them and sometimes with them. He added that France will make efforts to ensure the European position is heard, as the issue concerns it the most.

Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister

“Europeans will be well represented; France will be in Abu Dhabi to take part in these discussions. I cannot yet tell you who will represent France this time, but France will certainly be there.”

Barrot also said that over the past few weeks Europeans have been conveying their own position to American mediators. According to him, no discussion of the continent's future can bypass European expectations and demands. According to Interfax-Ukraine, Barrot gave no details about the format of the European side's participation.

What is known about the preparation of the talks

Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the US President, reported on November 2 that working groups from Ukraine, the United States and Russia are expected to hold talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking on November 6, there is already groundwork on security guarantees ahead of the meeting.

The Kremlin, according to Suspilne, said the Russian delegation will be headed by Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky. According to Russian media, cited by Interfax-Ukraine, the talks will also involve Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, who are deputy foreign ministers of the Russian Federation, as well as two representatives of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

The previous format and Moscow's position

Ukrinform recalls that earlier talks in this format, involving Russian, Ukrainian and American teams, were held in mid-February in Geneva. According to the outlet, they produced no result, and the conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 remains unresolved.

Interfax-Ukraine writes that Moscow has repeatedly opposed the presence of Europeans at the trilateral meeting.

Sources: Ukrinform · UNIAN · Suspilne News (Telegram) · Suspilne · Interfax-Ukraine