Estonian foreign minister: Best outcome of Abu Dhabi talks would be a ceasefire
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna says the U.S.-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi cannot produce a broader European peace settlement. A ceasefire would be the best possible result, though he personally doubts one will be reached.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has said there is no reason to fear that this week's Abu Dhabi talks on Russia's war in Ukraine, mediated by the United States, will lead to some wider settlement covering Europe. In his view, the best possible outcome would be a ceasefire, although he personally does not expect one to be achieved.
Speaking on ERR's morning television program, the minister noted that recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump have raised concerns that he is shifting toward the Kremlin. There has also been speculation about a major deal with Russia that would reach beyond Ukraine and affect the whole of Europe. Tsahkna stressed that no agreement concerning Europe can be made without Europe.
A trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States is taking place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, and European representatives from France, the United Kingdom and Germany are also present. According to the minister, this format has been used before.
Europe's role
Tsahkna argued that Europe belongs at the table because Ukraine is part of Europe, and because Europe is currently paying for and supporting Ukraine while pressuring Russia. If a peace deal also shapes Europe's security architecture, it is natural for Ukraine and Europe to take part in decisions, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said.
At the end of last week, foreign ministers from the Baltic Sea region met in Poland. Ukraine's strongest supporters discussed further steps to increase pressure on Russia. Their message was that a ceasefire must come first, opening the way to peace negotiations. Tsahkna added that the West and Ukraine should develop security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe so that Russia does not launch another war of aggression.
He also said there can be no gray zones, neutral territories or buffer zones between NATO, the European Union and Russia in the future. Whoever represents Europe must also speak for countries outside the EU, such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Iceland. He said he is not worried about Europe's ability to reach agreement.
Tsahkna said he personally does not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a ceasefire, arguing that Putin wants to divide the Western world.
