Europe rejects Trump push for wider Russia security deal

European officials on Friday pushed back hard against Washington's idea of linking a Ukraine peace deal to a broader European security framework with Russia. They insisted that Moscow gets no say over the continent's defenses and that no deal can be struck without Europe at the table. The dispute comes just days before US-led talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to resume in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11.ilfoglio.it

According to Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter, European nations want Russia to stop its war against Ukraine before they will discuss any Kremlin concerns about Europe's security architecture. That stance could put them at odds with the US. The same people said Vladimir Putin's pre-war demands to roll back NATO's presence in Eastern Europe are still unacceptable.bloomberg.com

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' Deal

The backlash followed remarks by President Donald Trump on Thursday, November 5. He said a coming agreement would "involve more than Ukraine" and "might involve all of Europe," calling it "a big, beautiful agreement". His special envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said Washington was working on "a broader European security architecture." Kushner listed elements such as crisis communications, military transparency and measures to reduce escalation risks. He added that NATO would "remain central" and that no country would have a veto over another's choices.euronews.com+1

Speaking in Warsaw, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, "We already have a European security architecture in place." She added that "Putin does not have a veto over European security" and that the EU would have to be involved for any deal to work. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said an arrangement made "above our heads" was "actually impossible." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Europe should focus on "protecting ourselves against Russia," not on discussing spheres of influence with Moscow.euronews.com

Who Speaks for Europe

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Europe would eventually have to take part. He also said Europeans "have not even yet been able to decide who can speak on their behalf," and called this a sign of "indecision". His comments followed a phone call between Putin and the leaders of Finland and Norway. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized that call.themoscowtimes.com

Divisions over representation are also showing inside the bloc. Sikorski said "Eastern Europe and Scandinavia cannot be left out of the conversation." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote to the EU envoy warning that Italy might not recognize commitments it had not agreed to in advance. Il Foglio said the 27 member states have yet to settle on a negotiating mandate.ilfoglio.it

Abu Dhabi Test

Kushner has promised to consult European partners closely on the sidelines in Abu Dhabi and, if there is progress, to move to a broader format that includes them directly. The meeting will be the first round of negotiations since February.investing.com+1