By Andrew Osborn
MOSCOW, Nov 10 (Reuters) – Russia believes the main thrust of US-brokered peace talks on Ukraine should be seeking agreement on the main elements of a post-war security framework for Europe, a source in the Russian delegation said, an idea many European politicians oppose.
The talks under way in Abu Dhabi will focus on developing mechanisms to prevent threats and strengthen regional stability, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The Ukrainian settlement, while it is a matter of critical importance, is just one aspect of this wide-ranging discussion and is subordinate to the main objective — the creation of a comprehensive and indivisible security architecture for the entire continent,” the source said.
US, Ukrainian and European officials met before the talks in Abu Dhabi, US envoy Steve Witkoff said. Russia has said it will not hold any direct talks with the Europeans this week.
Witkoff said the meeting with the European and Ukrainian officials had discussed how to build on existing European security institutions and agreements after the conflict, while recognising that addressing post-war security concerns and reducing the risk of future conflict would be essential.
Some European politicians oppose discussion of Europe’s overall security architecture at this stage, saying progress on Ukraine must be the priority, although US officials have made clear they are open to such discussion.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that wider European security talks should come only once there is a ceasefire in Ukraine. Moscow has rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, saying it wants an overall deal to end the war rather than a pause in which Ukraine might re-arm.
RUSSIAN DEMANDS
In the run-up to the conflict, Russia sought a legally binding guarantee that NATO would give up any military activity in eastern Europe and Ukraine, part of a wish list of security guarantees it had tried and failed to negotiate with the West.
It said it felt threatened by Ukraine’s growing ties with NATO and the possibility the alliance would deploy missiles against it on Ukrainian territory.
Its proposals, set out in a draft agreement with NATO countries and in a draft treaty with the United States, included Moscow and Washington refraining from deploying nuclear weapons outside their territories, a move that would imply the removal of US nuclear weapons from Europe.
US and Western officials rejected most of Russia’s proposals, saying they were unrealistic.
(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Andrew Osborn, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
