France to send official to Abu Dhabi peace talks

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed on radio station RTL that France will be present at the upcoming peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The talks, scheduled for November 10 and 11, will bring together the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. Barrot stated that France will arrive at the venue to participate directly in the discussions. He noted that while he could not yet name the specific official traveling to the United Arab Emirates, France's presence at the negotiating table is certain.

The decision places a European government directly within what was initially described as a trilateral format. Barrot argued that European nations have made their positions clear in recent diplomatic efforts. He said that Europe must be fittingly represented in these discussions because it is the party most directly affected by the conflict and its eventual settlement.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the Abu Dhabi meeting earlier this week. He described the sessions as focusing on further steps toward peace. This announcement followed a private meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. That meeting took place on November 5. Trump later claimed that a "big agreement" regarding Ukraine, Russia, and Europe would result from these diplomatic moves.

Barrot emphasized that European expectations have been communicated to the American mediator. He stated that no discussions regarding the future of the continent can ignore the demands of European states. This stance reflects a wider effort by European leaders to secure a direct role in shaping the outcome of the war.

Not all European allies are moving in unison. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has voiced caution. He warned that negotiations to end the war must carefully account for the security interests of Eastern Europe. His comments highlight the internal debates within Europe about the proper scope of the upcoming talks.

The negotiations are set to begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. France will join the US, Ukraine, and Russia at the table. The specific identity of the French representative remains unannounced as of Monday.