Europe may join next Ukraine talks
A US envoy says Vladimir Putin has agreed to European participation in a further round of negotiations.
There is news on this story (Saturday, 14 November 2026, 13:00): Ukraine and Russia discuss exchange of thousands of prisoners
Follow-up to: European leaders discuss role in peace talks Thursday, 12 November 2026, 20:48
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Europe will have a seat at the table at the next talks on the war in Ukraine, according to the United States. A US envoy says Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed, but the format for that participation has not yet been worked out.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said after talks with Putin that European representatives may take part in a further round of discussions between Russia and Ukraine. The announcement came after Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Putin in Moscow on Thursday and then travelled to Dublin for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations held talks in Abu Dhabi this week on a possible settlement to the war. In Abu Dhabi, Russian and Ukrainian delegations spoke directly to each other for the first time in nine months. The US government is trying to revive the discussions after earlier efforts stalled, Associated Press reports.
Which European countries or institutions will take part has not yet been decided. The European Union says it was present at the talks in Abu Dhabi and wants to remain involved. EU leaders will discuss diplomatic efforts, European security and the conditions for further support to Ukraine in Dublin on Friday.
There is a great deal at stake for Europe. Any peace agreement would affect not only Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but also the future security of European countries. The EU therefore says Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength and that a lasting settlement must include security guarantees.
At the same time, the differences remain substantial. According to AP, Putin told the US envoys that European troops in Ukraine after a ceasefire would be unacceptable to Russia. Moscow would regard such troops as a security threat and potentially as a legitimate target. That position could complicate agreements on European security guarantees.
The reported commitment to European participation does not in itself mean that an agreement on the war is any closer. The European Council stresses that further talks must go hand in hand with support for Ukraine. The EU also announced that on 26 and 27 November it will discuss Ukraine’s financing needs for 2027 and a new package of sanctions against Russia.
The precise meaning of the commitment remains uncertain until Russia, Ukraine, the United States and Europe have jointly established who will sit at the table and what will be negotiated. It is clear, however, that European governments do not want to be excluded from talks about a war that directly affects security and political relations across the continent.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A US envoy says Russia accepts European participation in a further round of negotiations.
- The EU says it is involved in diplomatic efforts and supports security guarantees for Ukraine.
- The precise composition and powers of a European delegation have not yet been decided.
- According to AP, Russia opposes European troops in Ukraine after a possible ceasefire.
Left
Arguments European participation should ensure that Ukraine does not decide its future without the European countries that bear the consequences of war, refugees and reconstruction.
Values The international legal order, protection of Ukraine’s sovereignty and European solidarity.
Consequences An agreement without Ukraine and Europe could be vulnerable and undermine the continent’s security in the longer term.
Centre
Arguments Europe should take part where necessary, while also allowing room for American mediation and a workable negotiating process.
Values Institutional responsibility, diplomatic feasibility and a lasting peace.
Consequences A joint European position could increase negotiating power, while division or too many conditions could delay the talks.
Right
Arguments European governments must first make clear what concrete contribution they will make and must prevent open-ended support or European troops from automatically becoming part of an agreement.
Values National security, control over public funds and restraint regarding military commitments.
Consequences A limited and clearly defined role could reduce risks, but too little European involvement could leave others to decide about Europe’s security.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The central report is based on Reuters and supplemented by AP and official EU information. The text clearly distinguishes between what the US envoy reports, what the EU confirms and what remains uncertain.
- confirmed A US envoy reported that Vladimir Putin had authorised European participation in a further Ukraine negotiation. — Reuters reported this based on the US envoy’s statement; AP confirms the talks between the envoys and Putin. source
- confirmed Russian and Ukrainian delegations spoke directly to each other in Abu Dhabi this week. — Associated Press describes the talks as the first direct discussions in nine months. source
- confirmed The EU says it was present at the talks in Abu Dhabi and wants to remain involved. — This is stated in the joint declaration by Costa and von der Leyen. source
- confirmed The EU will discuss Ukraine’s financing needs for 2027 and a new sanctions package on 26 and 27 November. — The official EU statement explicitly mentions both points. source
Editor's note
It is certain that a US envoy has reported European participation in a further round and that EU leaders are discussing their own role. The precise negotiating format and a separate Russian confirmation are not yet known.Sources
- US envoys meet with Putin on Ukraine talks, then visit Zelenskyy — Associated Press
- Putin lets Europe join Ukraine peace talks, as Kyiv says Starshield disrupted again — Reuters, gepubliceerd door ThePrint
- Informal meeting of heads of state or government — Europese Raad
- Joint statement following meeting with President Zelenskyy in Dublin — Raad van de Europese Unie
The story so far
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 20:48 European leaders discuss role in peace talks
- Thursday, 12 November 2026, 22:48 Zelensky discusses support and peace talks in Dublin
- Friday, 13 November 2026, 01:49 Europe may join next Ukraine talks (this article)
- Friday, 13 November 2026, 19:13 Five countries and EU to represent Europe in Ukraine talks
- Saturday, 14 November 2026, 10:45 Ukraine launches heavy drone attack during peace talks
- Saturday, 14 November 2026, 13:00 Ukraine and Russia discuss exchange of thousands of prisoners
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