Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov was part of the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi Nov. 10-11 for tripartite talks with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as high-level representatives of the Ukrainian government. This is the first time Ryabkov has directly participated in Ukraine-Russia peace talks, and he spoke his mind bluntly in Nov. 12 remarks to the press, as reported by TASS.
He began by praising the American willingness to discuss the underlying issues of the need for a new European security architecture. “They [the Americans] are certainly demonstrating the drive, so to speak, to find solutions. This cannot be denied…. Unlike in previous rounds, this time we focused largely on the prospects for building a security architecture in Europe and in the area bordering the current conflict zone. Such a framework would ensure that any future agreement holds and shifts the current trajectory from tension and escalation toward coexistence…. The presence of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, four-star General Grynkewich, brought considerable professionalism to the discussion from their side.”
The Europeans, however, said Ryabkov, continue to sabotage the prospects for peace, as they have all along. “Their [the Americans’] task after that will be to bring their protégés to their senses, including our European colleagues, who have so far shown not the slightest desire to act reasonably and continue to be inclined to recklessly provide the Kiev regime with all kinds of assistance.”
Ryabkov opposed any European participation in the negotiations at this stage. “There is a major gap between the approaches [pursued by Europe, Russia and the United States—TASS], so if the Europeans join the negotiation process, this could essentially set back and undermine efforts that have been fairly useful and have gained a certain positive momentum at this point…. We, of course, understand that Europe is now… claiming a certain political role, but this role appears to be purely destructive and negative in terms of the work being done, because we have yet to receive or hear a single clear, constructive proposal from the Europeans that could help find a way forward, so to speak…. European capitals and politicians, including the European Commission, who set the tune there, are generally obstructing the negotiating process and seeking to disrupt it.”
He warned the Europeans: “I hope those who previously worked to derail the process do understand that the situation on the ground is shifting against Kiev.”
In a clear reference to the short-lived Anchorage agreements of August 2025, Ryabkov said: “In the past there have been setbacks and reversals, and things that seemed within reach have been sabotaged. We’d like to avoid a repeat of that.”
European security architecture was a central topic of discussion, and Ryabkov explained why this is important for Russia. “I think we could build something that would be functional, having no illusions about what can be achieved, while avoiding uncontrolled escalation and taking into account the discussions that took place yesterday and the day before yesterday, given the political will….
“I believe the main thing that sets the round held yesterday and the day before yesterday apart from previous meetings in this format is that, for the first time, we delved into discussions of a future security architecture. This is an integral part of a long-term solution that cannot be ignored.”
