France will take part in the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia that are due to be held in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has announced, signalling that European governments will have a direct presence at the meeting.
Speaking on radio station RTL, Barrot said France "will be at the negotiating table" during the meeting on the Russia-Ukraine war and that the Europeans "will be fittingly represented" in the discussions.
"France will arrive in Abu Dhabi to participate in these discussions. I cannot yet say who will represent France at this meeting, but France will undoubtedly be there," the minister said. He did not specify which French official would travel to the United Arab Emirates for the talks.
Barrot also said that over recent weeks the Europeans "have made themselves heard" in the diplomacy surrounding the war, and stressed that their positions must be taken into account. His remarks reflected a broader push by European governments to be included in discussions about a possible end to the conflict.
"They have made it clear to the American mediator that no discussions regarding the future of the continent can ignore our expectations and demands," he said.
The foreign minister added that France would ensure Europe's voice is heard in the process, describing Europe as "the party most directly affected" by the war and its eventual settlement.
Barrot's remarks follow an announcement by Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy, who said that trilateral negotiations between the US, Ukraine and Russia would take place in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November and would focus on further steps towards peace.
Trump himself said he met privately on 5 November with Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, and afterwards announced a "big agreement" that he said would concern Ukraine, Russia and the rest of Europe.
The diplomatic moves have also drawn words of caution within Europe. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski previously warned European allies against conducting negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war without taking into account the security interests of Eastern Europe.
Barrot's statement indicates that the Abu Dhabi meeting, initially announced as a trilateral format, will also include a French presence when the talks begin on Tuesday.
