Russia confirms preparations for Abu Dhabi Ukraine talks, Ryabkov says

Russia is preparing for upcoming negotiations on Ukraine to be held in Abu Dhabi, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow.

Ryabkov described the talks as premature to discuss in detail, saying it was too early to address the Abu Dhabi negotiations specifically, but confirmed a preliminary understanding that discussions would take place at that venue.

"We are only preparing for it now," TASS quoted him as saying.

The deputy minister said Moscow is conducting close, intensive dialogue with the Trump administration, hoping those efforts will reach a point where a sustainable settlement can be discussed — one that addresses what he described as the root causes of the conflict, including security arrangements, the rights of Russian-speaking populations, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Ryabkov said Russia would work to counter what he characterised as the "war party" in European capitals, which he accused of obstructing rational approaches from the Trump administration and prolonging the conflict by sustaining false hopes in Kyiv.

Regarding US domestic politics, Ryabkov said Moscow did not expect substantial shifts in US-Russia relations, citing what he called a bipartisan anti-Russian consensus in Congress, while acknowledging that forces outside the current Congress sought peace and cooperation.

He also said France should focus on resolving issues within its own country rather than criticising Russia's engagement with Africa.