EU to join Ukraine–Russia peace talks as von der Leyen warns of escalating Black Sea attacks

European officials will attend US-led negotiations in Abu Dhabi alongside Britain, France and Germany, as Brussels backs calls for a ceasefire to protect Ukraine’s food and energy supplies

The European Union will join peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi this week as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warns that attacks around the Black Sea are escalating.

Senior officials from Brussels will attend the U.S-led negotiations alongside representatives from Britain, France and Germany, giving Europe a presence in talks over the future of Ukraine and the continent’s security.

Von der Leyen confirmed the EU’s participation today after speaking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ahead of a visit to Romania and Bulgaria to discuss growing threats to shipping and critical infrastructure.

The talks, scheduled for 10 and 11 November, will bring Russian and Ukrainian negotiators together under American mediation, with post-war security guarantees and measures to reduce the fighting among the main issues.

The European Commission and European Council are sending a joint team of senior officials, although it remains unclear whether they will meet Russia’s representatives directly.

Von der Leyen said: “Today, I begin a visit to the Black Sea region, where security threats are escalating, attacks are increasing, and innocent lives have been lost.”

She added: “Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved.”

The warning comes amid growing concern over attacks on commercial vessels and infrastructure near Romania and Bulgaria, both members of the EU and NATO.

Drones have struck merchant ships in the Black Sea in recent weeks, raising fears about the safety of vital shipping routes used to transport grain, fuel and other goods.

Von der Leyen said she had reiterated her support for Zelenskyy’s proposal for a ceasefire covering food and energy infrastructure, which has suffered repeated attacks during Russia’s invasion.

“We also discussed ongoing peace efforts and the talks in Abu Dhabi this week, where the EU will be present alongside our partners,” she added.

The negotiations are expected to involve American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with delegations from Moscow and Kyiv discussing possible terms for ending the war.

European governments have pressed for a greater say in the process, concerned that any agreement reached between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv could have lasting consequences for NATO, Ukraine’s borders and Europe’s wider security arrangements.

France has already confirmed that it will participate, while Germany and Britain are also expected to send representatives.

However, the precise format of Europe’s involvement remains uncertain, with Russia having previously resisted direct European participation in the negotiations.

The discussions come as Ukraine continues to face attacks on its electricity infrastructure ahead of winter, while disagreements over territory and future security guarantees remain major obstacles to a settlement.

Von der Leyen’s visit to Romania and Bulgaria will focus on strengthening Europe’s response to threats in the Black Sea, including the protection of shipping and essential infrastructure.

She is also expected to meet Zelenskyy in Dublin later this week, where European leaders will discuss the next steps towards peace.

“I look forward to meeting President Zelenskyy in Dublin later this week and discussing the next steps towards peace with fellow leaders,” she said.

The Abu Dhabi meeting will be the first round of trilateral Ukraine–Russia–U.S negotiations since February, although European officials have yet to establish whether they will take part in direct discussions with Moscow.

READ MORE: Russia takes control of more European corporate assets amid Ukraine tensions. French, German, Belgian and Swedish businesses are among those affected by a new presidential decree placing their Russian operations under external management as Moscow extends its measures against foreign companies.

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_{Main image: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels in August 2025. Following a telephone conversation on 9 November 2026, von der Leyen confirmed that EU officials would attend peace talks in Abu Dhabi and backed calls for a ceasefire covering Ukraine’s food and energy infrastructure. Credit: Office of the President of Ukraine}