Luik says Russia is using Abu Dhabi talks to test limits

Diplomat Jüri Luik said Russia was using the Abu Dhabi meeting to appear interested in peace talks while testing how far it could push on issues including European security. He told ERR that it was critical for European representatives to take part in the talks rather than be kept out of the room.

Luik said he viewed the meeting with concern, arguing that Russia was using it to show the United States that it wanted negotiations, although he did not believe Moscow was genuinely interested in them. He said Russia was also seeking to gauge its room for manoeuvre on matters such as the European security order.

European representatives were in Abu Dhabi but were not admitted to the main meeting, Luik said. They met separately with Ukrainian and US representatives, without Russia taking part.

Luik said discussions now covered European security, Ukraine’s reconstruction and easing sanctions, all of which he described as European issues. He said the European Union should agree on how to join the talks, and ensure it is kept informed and consulted before any decisions or commitments are made.

He said Russia might see an opportunity to secure a better deal from US President Donald Trump during the next two years. Luik added that the United States had accepted the Russian argument that a peace agreement should be linked to the wider European security order, and had consequently begun supporting a more active European role. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also working to bring Europeans into the talks, he said.

Asked whether he had been promised a defence or foreign affairs minister post, Luik said no. He said candidates were running for seats as ordinary members of parliament and that government positions would be determined after the election negotiations.