France wants to ensure European participation in talks planned for 10 and 11 November 2026 in Abu Dhabi between representatives of Ukraine and Russia. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced this on 8 November on the French radio station RTL . According to him, the meetings are to take place under US mediation. Barrot said French negotiators would be there to ensure Europe’s voice was heard.
The minister stressed that Europe must not speak on behalf of third parties, but must clearly represent its own interests. He pointed to Europe’s particular exposure to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the need to coordinate the European Union’s position coherently. Paris says it is pursuing close coordination with Germany and other member states.
It remained unclear in what form Europe would be represented in Abu Dhabi. Barrot spoke of “French representatives” without specifying the delegation’s level or size. He also did not say whether the European Union EU would be institutionally involved or national representatives would take the lead. In previous security crises, France has repeatedly used the informal E3 format with Germany and the United Kingdom, alongside the EU foreign policy chief.
The announcement from Paris comes against the backdrop of US efforts to organise working-group meetings in Abu Dhabi on specific issues. The agenda items to be discussed and the scope of the talks’ mandate have not yet been made public. Kyiv and Moscow have each set out their own conditions and expectations for the structure of possible negotiations; the participants’ composition and mandate are therefore considered decisive for the political impact and potential follow-up to any outcomes.
For Germany, the question of Europe’s involvement is of immediate interest, because European security guarantees, sanctions and reconstruction aid are directly affected. A coordinated European role could increase the talks’ legitimacy and influence. At the same time, practical questions arise about who has the right to represent Europe, the decision-making powers on the ground and the European Union’s later involvement in possible next steps.
Barrot’s remarks come from an RTL interview on 8 November 2026. The meetings scheduled in Abu Dhabi are set for 10 and 11 November 2026. Further details on the delegation’s size, the proceedings and the agenda had not been released by the editorial deadline.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).