The American proposal to Russia regarding European security is worrying. The Wall Street Journal. The Trump administration has put at the center of the debate a long-standing Russian demand: renegotiation of pan-European security agreements in a way that the Kremlin hopes will give it more influence in the region. Ahead of the meetings in Abu Dhabi, US officials said that work on the ceasefire in Ukraine should continue alongside discussions on future security measures in Europe. European officials and analysts say the White House's new approach risks opening the door for Moscow to win concessions on European defense that it has so far been unable to obtain. In recent days, American officials have said that the protracted war in Ukraine shows that the existing security mechanisms in Europe have not worked as they should. "We have to create something new that will work today," said one American senior official on the eve of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi. "For decades, US policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations has emphasized that Russia should have a say, but not a veto, over the security situation in Europe," said Andrew Weiss, a former US national security official. "It is not surprising that the Ukrainians and the Europeans are very concerned that deals may be made behind their backs." Representatives from all sides played down the chances of a breakthrough at the two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi. The negotiations ended on Tuesday after about five hours of discussions.

The American proposal to Russia regarding European security is worrying. The Wall Street Journal. The Trump administration has put at the center of the debate a long-standing Russian demand: renegotiation of pan-European security agreements in a way that the Kremlin hopes will give it more influence in the region. Ahead of the meetings in Abu Dhabi, US officials said that work on the ceasefire in Ukraine should continue alongside discussions on future security measures in Europe. European officials and analysts say the White House's new approach risks opening the door for Moscow to win concessions on European defense that it has so far been unable to obtain. In recent days, American officials have said that the protracted war in Ukraine shows that the existing security mechanisms in Europe have not worked as they should. "We have to create something new that will work today," said one American senior official on the eve of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi. "For decades, US policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations has emphasized that Russia should have a say, but not a veto, over the security situation in Europe," said Andrew Weiss, a former US national security official. "It is not surprising that the Ukrainians and the Europeans are very concerned that deals may be made behind their backs." Representatives from all sides played down the chances of a breakthrough at the two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi. The negotiations ended on Tuesday after about five hours of discussions.