Hope in Abu Dhabi, fighting in Europe, ‘hell’ in the Persian Gulf: RT stories that shaped the week

American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner successfully brokered a large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine during the fourth round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi this week. The discussions focused on creating conditions for a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Ukraine within a more stable European security environment.

Russian analyst Fyodor Lukyanov noted that mere mention of a broader European security architecture represents progress, as Moscow's previous calls to rethink European security were dismissed by Washington. The talks concluded positively despite the absence of European representatives, who were initially undecided on whether to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

European divisions

Following the Abu Dhabi talks, Witkoff and Kushner traveled to Moscow where they secured the EU a seat at the table in future discussions. However, Europe remains divided into 'squabbling camps of realists, maximalists, and fantasists,' all vying for control of the peace process.

In Dublin, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky met with European backers at the European Political Community and EU leaders' summits. Zelensky had already secured tens of millions of euros in energy-related aid from his patrons, though questions remain about how the funds are distributed, particularly as corruption cases in Ukraine reveal money flowing to oligarchs for luxury items including sports cars, marble apartments, and even live crocodiles.

Global tensions

As European leaders struggle with unity, global tensions continue to escalate. Iran has lifted its self-imposed 2,000km limit on the range of its ballistic missiles and threatened to unveil 'surprises on the battlefield' if military confrontation erupts. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that if the US and Israel 'choose war,' they will 'see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell.'

Meanwhile, protests are spreading across Europe over rising living costs in a rapidly militarizing continent. Demonstrations are planned in France, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, with strikes next week in France and Spain. The US is also monitoring Multinational Force-Ukraine drills in Poland, which involve 11 nations including France, the UK, and Poland, though Russian President Putin has warned that foreign troop presence would be 'a recipe for an endless war.'

Diplomatic developments

EU leaders eventually decided that Europe will be represented at future talks by national security advisers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK, plus the European Commission and Council at leader-level discussions. European Council President Antonio Costa dismissed concerns about potential clashes among the diverse group, stating 'It is essential to have a team,' yet 'to speak with one voice.'

Looking ahead, Putin will travel to China's Shenzhen to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on Tuesday, where an historic trilateral meeting with US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected. Ukraine will be high on the agenda when the three leaders meet, with significant implications for the ongoing conflict and European security architecture.