Russia Says No Deal Yet on European Role in Ukraine Talks

Russia said Friday it has not yet agreed to allow European countries to participate in US-mediated negotiations with Ukraine, despite Kyiv and Washington assuming their involvement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated a decision on an expanded format depends on understanding Europeans' true intentions and willingness to contribute to peace. Peskov said Russia is ready to talk if Europeans have authorized representatives and genuine will. During Abu Dhabi talks this week, European envoys held separate meetings with the Ukrainian delegation but did not join US-mediated sessions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists Europeans must join future talks, while US envoy Jared Kushner said a peace deal is impossible without them. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must participate to protect its interests and support Ukraine. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinski said Moscow received no concrete peace proposals from European countries and questioned what there is to discuss with them.