- Статьи
- World
- Negotiation process: The United States and Europe are trying to bring their positions closer before negotiations with Russia
Negotiation process: The United States and Europe are trying to bring their positions closer before negotiations with Russia
Washington is trying to negotiate settlement terms with its European allies before negotiations with Russia in Abu Dhabi. At consultations in Brussels on November 4-5, the parties are discussing the restoration of Ukraine and security guarantees, but their approaches to the future agreement differ. At the same time, the Europeans have not been invited to the trilateral meeting of Russia, the United States and Ukraine on November 10-11. Moreover, certain initiatives of Brussels are already causing serious concerns of Moscow. The proposal to create an EU naval mission in the Black Sea may be motivated by the desire to ensure the supply of weapons to Ukraine by sea, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Izvestia.
What the United States is negotiating with Europe
Consultations between representatives of the United States, Europe and Ukraine on a future settlement are taking place in Brussels on November 4-5. The need arose on the eve of a new round of trilateral negotiations, which is expected on November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.
The first meeting was hosted directly by the European Commission. It was attended by representatives of the Eurotroika — Germany, France and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, Ukraine, NATO and the World Bank. The main topic was the so-called Prosperity Plan, dedicated to the restoration of the Ukrainian economy after the cessation of hostilities. This issue has already been discussed at consultations in Miami and Oslo.
Ukraine's continued resistance is worsening the country's already dire situation. Now the Europeans are trying to find an additional €70 billion to cover Kiev's needs in 2027. Moreover, this amount is required in excess of the already agreed loan of €90 billion, calculated for 2026-2027. About 45 billion euros of this amount is planned for next year, and on October 30, the European Commission proposed to the EU Council to approve their allocation. But even these funds are not enough to cover all the expenses of Ukraine.
During the consultations, the Europeans expect to influence Washington's position, since they themselves have not received an invitation to a meeting in Abu Dhabi. According to the Financial Times, the discussions are intended, among other things, to reduce the concerns of European capitals, who fear that decisions on the continent's security will be made without their participation.
However, it will not be easy to achieve a common position between the United States and Europe. Washington will listen to its allies, but in the end it will still proceed from its own interests, political analyst Yuri Svetov believes. According to him, the Europeans are focused on guarantees to Ukraine, almost without affecting Kiev's obligations and Moscow's interests.
At the same time, the United States is gradually beginning to better understand Russian demands. Back in September, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov spoke about this. And on October 22, Vladimir Putin announced that the American side had offered to discuss the architecture of European security and guarantees for Russia and Ukraine. However, this does not mean that the parties have managed to agree on the terms of the settlement.
The Black Sea intensifies disagreements
Among the possible topics of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Vladimir Zelensky called the cessation of strikes on energy, prisoner exchanges and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. In March 2025, Moscow and Kiev, with the mediation of the United States, had already discussed the safety of maritime transportation, but the agreements reached could not be implemented. Now European countries are also joining the search for a solution.
The idea of the Black Sea truce is supported by Germany. In Berlin, it is primarily associated with the protection of merchant ships and grain supplies.
— The German government supports a cease-fire in the Black Sea in order to protect civilian shipping and, in particular, grain exports. First of all, it is important that Russia come to an agreement with Ukraine, which would allow for the sea transportation of much-needed grain. The German government will continue appropriate diplomatic efforts in this direction," the German Embassy in Moscow told Izvestia.
But the EU is considering other ways to ensure the safety of navigation. On October 22, the European Parliament called for consideration of the possibility of a naval operation in the Black Sea, primarily in the areas of Romania and Bulgaria. Earlier, a similar initiative was put forward by the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas. The decision on the establishment of the mission has not yet been made, and the resolution of the deputies is advisory in nature.
The Russian Foreign Ministry suggests that there may be other goals behind the proposal. Vladislav Maslennikov, Director of the Department of European Affairs, admitted in a conversation with Izvestia that the mission could be used to supply Ukraine with weapons by sea.
— It is logical to assume that the resolution of the European Parliament is based on the desire of the EU members to ensure the supply of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine by sea. Attempts to implement such ideas can bring nothing but a new round of escalation and rising tensions for the entire Black Sea region," he said.
Maslennikov also criticized the EU sanctions, which, according to Moscow, interfere with ship insurance, settlements and food exports. Brussels, in turn, claims that agricultural trade is not subject to restrictions.
— Attempts to impose certain rules on us through military force are doomed to failure. Responsibility for possible incidents in the Black Sea, which may lead to such adventurous plans, will lie entirely with those who promote these irresponsible ideas today. We are closely monitoring the development of the situation and, as always, are ready to give a symmetrical response," Maslennikov stressed.
What security guarantees can the parties agree on?
The issue of security in the Black Sea demonstrates how difficult it will be to negotiate broader security guarantees. Britain and France, together with other members of the "coalition of the willing," propose to control the future truce, continue military support for Kiev, and allow the deployment of multinational forces in Ukraine. Moscow opposes the Western military presence on Ukrainian territory, considering it a threat.
Approaches to the cessation of hostilities also differ. Leading European countries advocate a truce until a full-fledged peace agreement is concluded. Moscow insists on eliminating the root causes of the conflict, fearing that a pause will allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to regain strength. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned this at a conference in Minsk on November 3.
"All these lamentations are aimed solely at giving Kiev a break to restore its combat potential at the expense of external sponsors of this regime," the minister said.
Therefore, security guarantees are needed for both sides. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the issue would be discussed in Abu Dhabi.
— Security issues will be discussed. Issues related to security guarantees. They can only be mutual," he said on November 3.
In any case, it will not be possible to build a common security system without the EU in the long term: Russia and European countries will remain neighbors regardless of current contradictions, Evgeny Semibratov, Deputy director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Forecasts at the RUDN University, draws attention. According to him, the conditions for a return to a full-fledged dialogue, including on the global security architecture, can develop only after Russia has achieved its goals in the Ukrainian conflict.
Anyway, at the meeting in Abu Dhabi, the parties will have to discuss the issue of mutual security. But even if we manage to bring our positions closer, we will still have to decide on Europe's participation in future agreements.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
