Russia sees new security framework for Europe as main thrust of Ukraine talks, delegation source says

Russia believes that the ​main thrust of new peace ​talks on Ukraine starting ‌in Abu ​Dhabi later on Tuesday will be trying to hammer out the key elements of a new ‌post-war security framework for Europe, a source in the Russian delegation said. Russian and Ukrainian officials plan to meet later in the day for two ‌days of US-brokered talks — their first since February — after US President ‌Donald Trump suggested last week that a broad peace deal was possible in their 4-1/2-year-old war and could incorporate Europe's security.

The delegation source said that the meeting would ⁠focus ​on developing mechanisms ⁠to prevent threats and strengthen regional stability. "Whilst the Ukrainian settlement, being a matter of ⁠critical importance, is just one aspect of this wide-ranging discussion, it is subordinate to ​the main objective — the creation of a comprehensive and indivisible security ⁠architecture for the entire continent," the source said.

Representatives from France, Britain, Germany, the European Union, ⁠NATO ​and Italy are expected to be in Abu Dhabi too and are expected to talk to US and Ukrainian officials. Russia ⁠has not said it will hold any direct talks with the Europeans ⁠this week. Russia's 11-person ⁠delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and also includes two deputy foreign ministers and a number of ‌senior military ‌and intelligence service officials.