Zelensky: Ukraine will find a way to involve Europe in peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv will use any opportunity for peace talks with Russia, even if European representatives do not take part. He made the remarks at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The talks in question are a planned meeting of technical teams from the United States, Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. According to the outlet European Pravda, Zelensky did not directly confirm whether Europe will indeed go unrepresented.

The president said this time it will primarily be a trilateral meeting of technical groups from the US, Russia and Ukraine. He noted that the format is not new: it had previously been blocked and has now been unblocked. Zelensky added that Ukraine has worked from the very beginning on ways to bring Europe in.

Europe's role in security guarantees

Zelensky said Russia opposes a European presence at the talks, but Europe will be involved in future security guarantees for Ukraine. "We hope that one way or another we will find how to involve Europe," he said, adding that he cannot envisage security guarantees without Europe, nor reconstruction.

Asked why Ukraine agrees to formats that exclude Europeans, the president replied that Europe's presence matters, but if the Americans say this time there will only be a trilateral meeting, Ukraine will not wreck the chance to meet. In his view, the process must be pushed toward peace in any format. Zelensky also stressed that more clarity is needed on who will represent Europe in the negotiations.

Russia's position and timing

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, stated that Europe will not take part in the trilateral technical talks planned for next month. Zelensky expects the meeting to take place between 6 and 10 November. He also said that after European leaders spoke with the Kremlin leader, there is a sense that Russia is serious about a meeting of negotiating groups in Abu Dhabi, adding that the early-November meeting depends on the American side.