European countries are open to resuming talks with Russia on arms control and restrictions on the deployment of certain types of missiles. Against the backdrop of the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi, European diplomats are proposing a return to the mechanisms of military transparency and conflict prevention that were used at the end of the Cold War and in the period following its conclusion.
- European diplomats are open to negotiations with Russia on limiting the deployment of missiles.
- The restoration of arms control and military transparency mechanisms is being considered.
- Europe is keen to join the talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia.
- Diplomats do not expect a rapid breakthrough from the meetings in Abu Dhabi.
Europe is considering a return to arms control agreements
According to the Financial Times, European officials are prepared to discuss with Moscow the reinstatement of mechanisms designed to reduce the risk of direct military conflict.
Possible areas of focus include agreements on restrictions on the deployment of certain categories of missiles, as well as a return to the principles of the Open Skies Treaty.
This international agreement, signed in 1992, provided for the possibility of conducting agreed observation flights over the territories of the participating states. Its aim was to enhance military transparency and reduce the risk of sudden escalation.
The US withdrew from the treaty in 2020, and Russia in 2021. At present, the discussion centres solely on the possibility of discussing such mechanisms, rather than on reaching any specific agreements.
European countries are demanding to be involved in the negotiations on Ukraine
European diplomats are sceptical about the prospects of a rapid breakthrough on negotiations Ukraine, the US and Russia, which began on 10 November in Abu Dhabi.
At the same time, European capitals are insisting on direct involvement in discussions on the future security system. They fear that Washington and Moscow may agree on the principles of European security without involving the countries that will be affected by these decisions.
Administration Donald Trump is trying to persuade Russia to agree to expand the negotiating format to include European states.
European representatives stress that any agreements on a new security architecture must take into account the interests of Ukraine and its partners.
Moscow does not agree to Europe’s direct involvement
The Russian side has not yet shown any willingness to include European representatives in the trilateral format in Abu Dhabi.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the American and Ukrainian sides have their own channels of communication with their European partners. At the same time, the current negotiations remain trilateral — between Ukraine, the US and Russia, with the US acting as mediator.
For its part, the Ukrainian delegation has arranged separate consultations with European representatives to coordinate positions on further diplomatic steps.
