# Europe joins U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi

> France confirms European attendance at this week's Russia-Ukraine negotiations despite Kremlin resistance to their involvement.
- Title: Europe joins U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi
- Summary: France confirms European attendance at this week's Russia-Ukraine negotiations despite Kremlin resistance to their involvement.
- Keywords: ukraine, russia, united states, france, abu dhabi, peace talks, volodymyr zelenskyy, vladimir putin, trump administration, nato, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/11/08/nx-s1-6034014/europe-join-us-brokered-ukraine-talks-abu-dhabi-russia
- Published: 2026-11-08T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, russia, united states, france, abu dhabi, peace talks, volodymyr zelenskyy, vladimir putin, trump administration, nato, news
## France confirms European attendance
France's foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Sunday that France will attend U.S.-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi this week, ensuring Europe's voice is heard.

> France will be there and will ensure that Europe's voice is heard
## Kremlin had opposed European role
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ruled out European participation, saying the trilateral format between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv had already been agreed.
## Trump hints broader scope
President Trump told Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev on Thursday that a coming agreement would involve more than Ukraine and might involve all of Europe.
## Zelenskyy warns of danger
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN Friday he had not been given details of Trump's referenced agreement and warned it could be dangerous, invoking the 1945 Yalta conference.

> For me, it's not simple, and it can be dangerous
## Fourth round after eight-month gap
These talks are the fourth round brokered by the Trump administration and the first since Geneva in February. Earlier meetings made little progress as the administration focused on its war with Iran.
## Russia's senior delegation signals seriousness
Russia's delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky and include Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, plus military officials. This senior lineup could indicate Moscow is readier to address political and military questions.
## Substantial gaps remain between sides
Russia demands Ukraine give up large territory and renounce NATO membership. Zelenskyy insists security commitments must be clearly spelled out, including who would act if Russia attacked again.
## War continues despite diplomacy
As officials travel to Abu Dhabi, Zelenskyy said Russia fired thirty-six ballistic missiles at Kyiv overnight Saturday with only four intercepted. A guided-bomb strike Monday on an aid site in Komyshuvakha killed at least fifty-five.
## Key takeaway

European officials will attend U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi this week, defying Kremlin objections to their participation.