France will join talks on ending the war in Ukraine, due to take place next week in Abu Dhabi with the participation of Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said this in an interview with RTL radio.
"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 definitely be there," Barrot said.
According to the minister, in recent weeks European countries have conveyed their position to American intermediaries. In particular, they stressed that discussions about Europe’s future cannot take place without taking into account the expectations and demands of European states.
"France will ensure that Europe’s voice is heard, because this concerns it most of all," Barrot noted.
- Earlier, the US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff announced talks on 10–11 November between working groups from Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States in Abu Dhabi.
- The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has stressed that the EU must be part of any peace deal on Ukraine, as the bloc is indispensable on issues of security guarantees, post-war reconstruction and sanctions.
- Ukraine also insists that Europe should be involved in the talks in the UAE.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the European Union to clearly define who exactly will represent the bloc in talks on ending the war in Ukraine, and with what mandate.