French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday that his country and the European Union will attend the scheduled negotiations between Russia and Ukraine under the auspices of the United States in the United Arab Emirates next Tuesday and Wednesday. US envoy Steve Witkoff revealed on Monday that Washington will gather two delegations representing Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to discuss ending Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
Published on: 08/11/2026 - 15:15
In radio statements on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot revealed the Russian-Ukrainian talks in the United Arab Emirates, saying, “The Europeans will be representatives, and France will be present in Abu Dhabi to participate in these discussions,” adding: “I cannot tell you yet who will represent France on this occasion, but it will be present.”
"Very good European representation"
He added in an interview with RTL Radio, saying: “The Europeans will have very good representation. France will be present in Abu Dhabi to participate in these discussions.”
He continued: "Discussions took place sometimes without the Europeans, and sometimes in the presence of the Europeans. They will participate this time. France will be present and Europe's voice will be heard."
On Monday, US envoy Steve Witkoff reported that Washington would gather two delegations representing Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to discuss ending Moscow’s war on Ukraine and concluding security agreements related to the post-war period and ways to reduce escalation.
European "confusion".
It is noteworthy that the position of the French Foreign Minister came after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the European "confusion" in these negotiations, demanding that the bloc clarify who is speaking on its behalf.
In turn, European Union foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas stressed on Friday the need for the bloc to participate in any settlement of the most violent conflict in Europe since World War II.
Although Barrow did not specify the nature of French or European participation in Abu Dhabi, he stressed that the Europeans recently informed the Americans that “any discussion related to the future of this continent cannot ignore our aspirations or requirements.”
'Very significant' agreement
Following his meeting with an envoy of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, US President Donald Trump expected to reach a “very large” agreement with Russia that is not limited to Ukraine only, but may include “the entire Europe.”
US envoy Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, stressed Thursday that Washington "will consult closely with our European partners" on the sidelines of the talks in Abu Dhabi, and that if progress is made, "the goal will be to move to an expanded multilateral formula in which they will participate directly."
Still 'a lot of work'
However, the European Union stressed the day after that that peace in Ukraine still requires “a lot of work,” and that the final decision on issues related to the continent’s security rests with the bloc and no one else, as Ukraine and its European allies fear that Washington will put pressure on them to accept a settlement agreement that meets many of what Russia demands.
It is noteworthy that since his return to the White House in early 2025, the Donald Trump administration has been making diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement to the war that has been raging in Ukraine since 2022, without achieving any significant breakthrough yet.
France 24/AFP/Reuters
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