After the second day of the Russia-Ukraine-U.S. trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi ended after just under two hours of discussion the head of the Russian delegation, Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky gave a press conference. He said, as reported by Sputnik News: “We believe that the very framing of the question of what will happen after the inevitable end of the conflict in Ukraine is the correct framing.” It is the issue of security architecture in Europe that must be resolved.

Medinsky reviewed, for context, the various proposals Moscow has made for European security arrangements from 2008 to the present. Then he made the point that the Ukraine conflict has only exposed the failings of the last two decades. “Essentially, the whole body is sick, and Ukraine is simply where the abscess burst.” Sputnik cited a “source in the negotiating group” saying much the same, that “the talks were aimed at discussing key aspects of forming a new system of continental security. According to him, the Ukrainian settlement is only one item in a large-scale discussion.”

Yet, Medinsky also struck a positive note: “Many years have passed, and finally this topic [security in Europe] has already found a voice and an understanding that it needs to be addressed.” It was central at these talks. One might wonder why it needed to take this long.

Asked about the European contingent that flew into town, he said: “No, we have not talked to them, we do not really understand their status here. The negotiations are of a trilateral nature.” He added that not only has Russia not received any peace proposals from them, but they continue to be part of the problem: “They are participants, as I said, in the collective deception of the Ukrainian people and effectively accomplices in the deaths of civilians.”

He contrasted the Europeans approach to that of the U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The latter have been sincere, effective and result-oriented. “Therefore, we assess their role positively, but what matters is not how we evaluate them, but how many lives will be saved as a result of their active mediation mission. Therefore, we are also very grateful to them.”