Talks in Abu Dhabi have yielded first cautious progress: Europe may come to negotiating table regarding Ukraine, - Stubb
Recent talks in Abu Dhabi involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia show the first tentative steps forward in the peace process, and Europe may join the dialogue in the coming weeks.
According to Censor.NET, Finnish President Alexander Stubb made this statement in an interview with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
He noted that certain signs of progress in the negotiation process have emerged recently.
"In my opinion, we can see some cautious steps forward. Let’s recall how, a few weeks ago in Oslo, we met with all parties except the Russians. In my view, the negotiations were on the verge of collapse at that time," Stubb said.
He added that the participants managed to get the negotiation process back on track, and among the first positive signs, he cited the agreement on the mutual release of prisoners of war.
"So I believe that minor breakthroughs lie ahead. One of them was what Jared Kushner just mentioned—the mutual release of prisoners of war," said the President of Finland.
Stubb mentioned U.S. negotiations with Putin
The Finnish president also drew attention to the meeting scheduled at that time between U.S. representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
"But, in my opinion, the main talks will take place tomorrow in Moscow between Kushner, Witkoff, and Putin, and after that we’ll see how we move forward," Stubb said.
He emphasized that to advance the talks, it is important to maintain contact with all parties, even if their positions differ.
"We don't like some of what we hear, and we do like some of it, but people must be involved in the dialogue," the Finnish president explained.
The President of Finland expects Europe to participate in the negotiations
Stubb also recalled that a few weeks ago, he and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had called Putin.
According to him, such contacts are part of efforts aimed at supporting dialogue to end the war.
Responding to a question about the possibility of Europeans participating in the negotiations, Stubb stated:
"So, to give you a direct answer, I believe there is a real possibility that Europeans will be present at the negotiating table."
