The key facts

  • Jean-Noël Barrot: Europe will be represented at the talks in Abu Dhabi, the French delegation will travel there
  • The Ukrainian delegation will be led by NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov; Budanov, Arakhamia and other participants were also announced
  • The composition of the delegation was announced by advisor to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn

Statement by the French Foreign Ministry

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on RTL radio that Europe would be represented at the talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. According to him, the French delegation will also be present at the talks. “The Europeans will be represented there. <...> France will make sure that Europe’s voice is heard,” Barrot explained, adding that he could not name the participants of the talks precisely. The report was published by Gazeta.Ru.

Composition of the Ukrainian delegation

The day before, advisor to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn announced the composition of the delegation of the country for the talks in Abu Dhabi. The delegation at the summit with Russia and the US will be led by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov; the team will also include the head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov. A source of RBC-Ukraine added that the delegation includes Budanov’s first deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, the leader of the Servant of the People faction in the Rada David Arakhamia, and the deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitsky. Skibitsky and former chief of the Ukrainian General Staff Andriy Hnatov will be responsible for the military aspects of the talks.

Context

Earlier, an ambassador assessed the role of the US in the upcoming talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. Thus, by the time of Barrot’s statement, the composition of the Ukrainian delegation and US participation were already known, while the French minister confirmed the presence of the European side without disclosing specific names.