Europe says Ukraine ceasefire must precede talks on Russia's security concerns

European governments want Russia to halt its war on Ukraine before discussing Moscow’s concerns about Europe’s security arrangements.

The dispute involves European countries, Russia, Ukraine and the United States, as Washington pushes to include wider security questions in peace talks.

European officials reject Russia’s pre-war demand to reduce NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe, saying the existing system is meant to deter attacks.

The US has proposed five areas for security arrangements, including crisis communications, military transparency and steps to reduce escalation risks.

A key obstacle is what security guarantees Ukraine would receive if a peace deal is reached; allies have discussed guarantees similar to NATO’s mutual-defence clause, while Moscow opposes Western troops in Ukraine.

Europe says a ceasefire must come before post-war security agreements, and that European countries must support those arrangements.

Russian, Ukrainian and US officials are due to resume talks in Abu Dhabi, with the competing priorities likely to shape discussions.