France joins Ukraine-Russia peace talks on Europe's security future

France will participate in peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The talks will also address Europe's post-war "security infrastructure," per US statements. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday the meeting will discuss Europe's security framework after the war, as the Trump administration has repeatedly urged Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense. French minister Barrot stated Europeans have conveyed to the US that discussions about the continent's future cannot occur without considering European views, a point echoed by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. US representatives include Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Kushner presenting a five-point plan for European security arrangements on Friday. Russia's delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine's chief negotiator is Rustem Umerov. Previous trilateral talks in Geneva in February yielded no visible progress.