At the peace negotiations to end the war in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 10–11, 2026, Europe will be represented by officials from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, as well as representatives of NATO and key European Union institutions. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine citing a source in Politico, while European Pravda's own sources in the EU and NATO have simultaneously confirmed the delegation's composition. The trilateral format involving representatives of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, with Ukraine also holding separate coordination meetings with European partners.
Level of Representation: Advisors, Not Heads of State
According to available data, European countries will be represented at the Abu Dhabi talks at the level of national security advisors and chiefs of staff, rather than at the level of heads of state or government. According to sources, European capitals failed to form a unified position on the exact level at which Europe should be represented. This means the delegation will consist of high-ranking diplomats and advisors directly involved in the preparation and coordination of foreign policy initiatives, rather than the countries' top officials.
Who Will Join National Delegations
Germany will be represented at the talks by Günter Sautter, foreign and security policy advisor to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who participates in coordinating European efforts to support Ukraine and in negotiations to end the war. The United Kingdom will be represented by Jonathan Powell, national security advisor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who previously served as an aide to Tony Blair and participated in the Northern Ireland peace process; according to sources, he maintains close contacts with Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. France will be represented by Emmanuel Bonne, chief diplomatic advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, who handles the preparation of the French leader's key foreign policy initiatives. Italy will be represented by Fabrizio Saggio, diplomatic advisor to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is brought in to resolve complex diplomatic issues.
The Role of NATO and European Union Institutions
NATO will be represented in Abu Dhabi by Geoffrey van Leeuwen, chief of staff to Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte, who previously served as trade minister and national security advisor to the Netherlands. The European Commission will be represented by Björn Seibert, head of cabinet for President Ursula von der Leyen, one of her closest associates who participated in previous negotiations with the American side on Ukraine and security guarantees. The European Council will be represented by Anna-Maria Boura, chief foreign policy advisor to President António Costa, responsible for the Council's foreign policy track.
Context and Chronology
The Ukrainian negotiating delegation reportedly departed for the meetings in Abu Dhabi ahead of schedule. The trilateral format of negotiations involving representatives of Ukraine, the US, and Russia is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10 and 11. In parallel, Ukraine will hold separate coordination meetings with European partners. Thus, the European delegation, assembled at the level of advisors and chiefs of staff, will work in close coordination with the Ukrainian side and American negotiators, ensuring the coordination of positions of the EU, NATO, and individual member states within the framework of efforts to end the war.
