European diplomats have emphasized the necessity of their involvement in the ongoing U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which are currently taking place in Abu Dhabi. This demand was voiced during a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Paris, where German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul underscored Europe’s critical role in any resolution to the conflict. Wadephul stated, “Europe belongs at this table. There can be no solution without Europe – only with Europe.”

The Paris meeting, which began on Monday and concludes on Tuesday, coincides with the peace talks in Abu Dhabi scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. This timing has provided European leaders an opportunity to express their concerns directly to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, particularly in light of recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy following the midterm elections. The elections resulted in significant losses for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, raising questions about future U.S. policy directions.

European ministers have expressed unease over the U.S. potentially scaling back its support for Ukraine and altering sanctions on Russia. These concerns are compounded by Trump’s rhetoric, which suggests a possible reconfiguration of the European security architecture. Wadephul criticized any fundamental changes to this architecture, emphasizing the importance of European involvement in the peace process.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, who is set to join a session on Ukraine in Paris, echoed these sentiments, asserting that no decisions should be made about Ukraine without its direct involvement. “No one has the right to decide our fate behind our backs,” Sybiha declared before departing for the meeting.

The G7 meeting also addressed broader geopolitical issues, including instability in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict with Iran. The inclusion of ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea, and Brazil highlights the global dimensions of these discussions. Al Jazeera’s Rebecca Collard reported from Paris that the first day of talks concluded with little clarity on the U.S.’s post-election policy stance.

The backdrop to these diplomatic efforts is the continuing conflict in Ukraine, marked by Russian military actions, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges, with large portions of the Ukrainian population facing power outages and other hardships.

As the peace talks unfold in Abu Dhabi, there is skepticism about Russia’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations. Wadephul called on Moscow to abandon its “maximalist demands” and warned against any superficial negotiation efforts. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain, but the insistence on European participation underscores the continent’s strategic interest in the resolution of the conflict and the maintenance of regional stability.