The key facts

  • Trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States are taking place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11
  • Grushko said the EU has so far acted as a «spoiler» in the settlement
  • According to Axios, the White House envoys may travel to Moscow and Kyiv after Abu Dhabi

Assessment by the Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that the presence of European representatives at the trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi should not be overestimated. «Frankly speaking, I would not overestimate the very fact of their physical presence in Abu Dhabi. We know perfectly well that both the Ukrainians and the Americans are in contact with the Europeans 24/7,» the diplomat said, whose remarks were cited by Gazeta.Ru with reference to TASS.

«Spoiler» and «strings»

According to Grushko, European Union representatives have so far «acted as a spoiler» in the settlement process in Ukraine, and he sees no factors that would change this situation. He also added that it is not the first time the Europeans have «sat behind the scenes and pulled the strings,» trying to pressure the United States and Ukraine. Earlier, as the outlet notes, the Russian Foreign Ministry «put a full stop» to the question of Europe's presence at the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi.

Format and possible continuation

The trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States are taking place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. According to Axios, which Gazeta.Ru cites, the White House envoys may travel to Moscow and Kyiv after the meeting in the UAE for direct talks with Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. For now, this remains a plan reported by Axios: the publication contains no confirmation of such visits.