Europeans to join Abu Dhabi Ukraine talks as Russia adds Ryabkov

As of 8:25 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026

European officials will take part in this week's U.S.-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Sunday. The talks had been planned as a three-way meeting of Ukrainian, Russian and American officials.

"The Europeans will be well represented and France will be in Abu Dhabi to take part in these talks," Barrot said on the Grand Jury program on RTL, broadcast with Public Sénat. "I cannot yet tell you who will represent France on this occasion, but it will definitely be there." He said he would not personally be at the table, Euronews reported.

"France will make Europe's voice heard, as Europe is the first concerned," Barrot told RTL. According to Anadolu Agency, he said no agreement with consequences for Europe's security architecture "could be designed, or even discussed" without the Europeans.

EU confirms a joint team

On Monday, the European Commission and the European Council said they would send a joint team of senior officials to the talks, joined by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Euronews reported. "The EU will be present alongside our partners," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to Euronews, the EU team will be led by Bjoern Seibert, von der Leyen's chief of cabinet, and Anna-Maria Boura, chief foreign policy adviser to European Council President António Costa. Euronews said it was not clear whether the Europeans would meet the Russian delegation face to face, which has never happened in the peace talks so far.

Russia names a larger delegation

Russia's delegation will include Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov for the first time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency, Reuters reported Friday. Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky will again head the team as chief negotiator.

Reuters said the delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and Yuri Zhigarlovsky, a deputy chief of the General Staff's Main Operational Directorate. Ryabkov oversees Russia's relations with the Americas and is responsible for arms control, according to Reuters. All members of the delegation met President Vladimir Putin on Friday at a Security Council meeting partly devoted to the talks, the report said.

Ukraine and U.S. teams

Ukraine's team will be led by its chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskyy's parliamentary faction, told the Kyiv Independent. The comments followed media reports that presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov would lead it. Arakhamia said the delegation would include himself, Budanov, Umerov and Serhii Kyslytsia, first deputy head of the presidential office. Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will represent the United States, Euronews reported.

The two-day round on Tuesday and Wednesday will be the first trilateral talks since February, according to Reuters. Earlier, Finland's president and Norway's prime minister spoke with Putin about future negotiations, as GROKsiNEWS.com reported. Read that coverage: Stubb and Støre speak with Putin.