Rubio applauds peace talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, 'but the road is still long'

"The road ahead is still long. In any case, it is good that they are talking, it is positive that the trilateral talks have resumed. It is always better than having no dialogue at all": this was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the ongoing trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi. The United States "never opposed" direct talks between Europe and Russia, "it was the Russians who did not want them," he added. The United States wants a new security framework for Ukraine, Russia and Europe in order to guarantee peace: this was stated in Abu Dhabi by US envoy Jared Kushner, on the occasion of the start of talks between the countries in conflict. "The hope today is not only to discuss bilateral issues between the countries and how to end the war, but also how to create the right security relations between Ukraine, Russia and Europe, so as to not only end this war, but also create a new framework" to guarantee "decades, if not centuries, of peace," Kushner said. Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi and presidential aide, expressed the hope that the trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine will allow "making progress toward peace." "We hope that today's meeting, with its representative composition, our now larger and even more professional delegation, will allow us to move toward peace in the interest of the peoples of Russia and Ukraine," Medinsky said at the opening of the talks, as quoted by Tass. Palazzo Chigi: 'The agreement for Kiev goes through European choices, a single voice is needed' The negotiations on Ukraine touch "ever more closely on the security of the entire continent. Many elements of an overall agreement depend on European decisions: security guarantees, reconstruction, sanctions and Ukraine's European path. For this reason, Europe must speak with a single voice and equip itself with a clear and shared mandate." Thus sources at Palazzo Chigi after the start of the talks in Abu Dhabi. This, the same sources explain, is what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni requested in the letter addressed to President António Costa: to discuss the issue at the informal European Council in Dublin, in order to reach a decision at the December European Council. Palazzo Chigi welcomes Costa's willingness to follow up on the request and to take the matter forward. Europe-US: 'Credible security guarantees for Kiev crucial for an agreement' "The participants stressed that any future agreement must respect Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and decision-making autonomy, as well as provide credible security guarantees for the country." This is stated in a joint declaration after today's meeting in Abu Dhabi between the EU, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the United States and NATO. The statement makes it "clear that a strong NATO will remain fundamental for Euro-Atlantic collective defense." Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA