Who’s who for Europe at the Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi

Key Points:

• Senior EU, NATO, and European officials are attending U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine, addressing concerns that Europe might be sidelined in the negotiation process.
• Ukraine’s delegation includes intelligence and senior officials, while Russia is represented by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky; the U.S. delegation is led by Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
• European participants include advisers from France, the U.K., Germany, Italy, NATO, the European Commission, and the European Council, though Europeans are not expected to be in the main negotiation room due to Kremlin opposition.
• Key European figures include Germany’s Günter Sautter, coordinating peace efforts; Italy’s Fabrizio Saggio, Meloni’s diplomatic adviser; NATO’s Geoffrey van Leeuwen, observing alliance interests; and EU officials Bjoern Seibert and Anna-Maria Boura, representing the European Commission and Council respectively.
• The talks reflect ongoing European efforts to maintain influence in the peace process amid U.S. initiatives and Russian demands, with European leaders pushing for clarity on their role and mandate in negotiations.