Europe Wary as US Ties Ukraine Peace Push to New Security Framework

US, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives began closed-door talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10, with Washington proposing to link ending the war to a new European security framework, a strategy that has unsettled European allies. The US proposal, led by President Trump's envoy Jared Kushner, suggests establishing a new security architecture involving Russia and European nations, potentially modeled on the dormant NATO-Russia Council. European officials worry this could allow Moscow to leverage its invasion into concessions and rebuild influence in Eastern Europe. Russia's foreign minister welcomed the approach, while EU officials countered that existing frameworks already exist but Russia has failed to honor them. US officials insist NATO remains central to European defense and are exploring collective defense guarantees for Ukraine, though all parties downplayed prospects for a breakthrough in the two-day talks.