Key facts
- Kallas warned against walking into Russia's traps and said Russia is trying to debate European security to divert from its aggression.
- Russia revived hardline demands for a European security overhaul that were rejected in 2021.
- Kushner said Russia and Ukraine agreed to expand talks to include Europeans, but Russia contradicted that.
- The Kremlin said it could decide on expanded talks once it understands Europe's intentions.
- Medinsky said it was unclear what there is to discuss with Europe.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on November 13, 2026, against falling into Russia's traps in talks on the Ukraine war, speaking at an EU leaders' summit in Dublin. She stated that Moscow is trying to open a debate about European security to divert attention from its aggression, and asserted that the aggressor has no security concerns. Kallas's remarks came as Russia revived hardline demands for an overhaul of European security, which were rejected in 2021 for infringing the sovereignty of central and eastern European countries.
The latest round of talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US was held this week in Abu Dhabi. US envoy Jared Kushner said on Thursday night that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to expand the next round to include Europeans, but Russia quickly contradicted that account. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Russia's desired discussion on European security architecture is unnecessary because it already exists, and that Germany would be part of any European delegation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it is self-explanatory that Europe is included in peace talks to safeguard its interests and support Ukraine.
The Kremlin said on Friday that once it understands Europe's real intentions and willingness to contribute to the peace process, it can decide on holding talks in an expanded format. Russia's lead negotiator in Abu Dhabi, Vladimir Medinsky, said it was unclear what there is to discuss with Europe. The US call to involve Europe has focused attention on who would represent the bloc. Paris and Berlin support a continued role for their envoys in the E3 format of Britain, France and Germany alongside EU representatives, while smaller member states emphasize the EU representatives: European Council President António Costa and Kallas.
Sweden's prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said the discussion on representation was slightly overstated, noting differing interests and citing EU interests in financing Kyiv and Ukraine's future membership. Ireland's taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said the UK and Norway each had a significant role. British prime minister Andy Burnham said it was for the EU to decide who would represent the bloc.