Ukraine war: negotiations in Abu Dhabi seen as driven by Trump’s agenda

Genté believes former U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing negotiations for his own reasons, but battlefield conditions remain balanced, preventing either side from conceding. He noted that wars typically end when one or both parties can no longer continue fighting. The political landscape is further complicated by the Democrats’ recent electoral gains in the United States, a still-developing Europe, and Ukraine’s unexpectedly resilient defense.

“I have the impression that we are still far from (a resolution) and that this will rather be a moment to satisfy Mr. Trump, because we cannot say no to him; but that no progress is currently conceivable either on the Ukrainian side or on the Russian side,” Genté concluded.

Trump reportedly aims to project himself as a peacemaker and effective leader, both domestically and internationally, particularly given recent foreign policy setbacks, including the war in Iran. He has promised a “very big” agreement with Russia regarding Ukraine, potentially encompassing all of Europe. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff detailed that discussions in Abu Dhabi will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and future steps toward peace.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed France’s participation in the discussions. Ukraine will hold separate consultations with its European Union, NATO, and UK partners. However, the Kremlin emphasized that the talks will be strictly trilateral, involving only Kiev and Washington.

Ukrainian chief negotiator Roustem Oumerov announced consultations with EU, NATO, and UK partners. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he has coordinated with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Genté suggests Europeans must find a place within the direct dialog between Moscow and Washington, a challenge given Europe’s ongoing development. He argues that European unity, particularly militarily, is essential for them to be heard and exert influence on the international stage, emphasizing that international relations are driven by competing interests, not sentiment or morality.