Kiev’s European backers remain outside negotiations on the continent’s security despite their demands for a say

European governments remain outside negotiations that could shape the continent’s security, as Russia, Ukraine, and the US began talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday despite repeated European demands for a seat at the table.

As the discussions kicked off, no representatives from Western Europe could be seen at the main negotiating table. EU and UK envoys did, however, meet with the US delegation and the Ukrainian team shortly before the main talks.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot previously claimed that Europeans would be “well represented” in Abu Dhabi, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul insisted that “Europe belongs at that table,” arguing that “there can be no solution without Europe, only with Europe.”

Those demands, however, follow years of European governments repeatedly shunning direct contact with Moscow while continuing to supply Kiev with weapons and money.…