Reviving the Nord Stream gas pipelines could become the European Union’s bargaining chip in its efforts to secure a seat at the Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi. However, European leaders may be preparing to deceive Moscow by making a promise they have no intention of keeping. Political analyst Igor Shatrov outlined this scenario in an interview with NEWS.ru.
According to Shatrov, EU politicians are likely to discuss using the pipeline restoration project as leverage to persuade Russia to accept European participation in the upcoming meeting. He believes Brussels could deliberately offer such an arrangement without ever planning to carry it out.
The analyst argued that the Abu Dhabi negotiations represent Europe’s last chance to defend its interests. Even so, he does not expect European governments to sacrifice Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to gain access to the talks. Shatrov accused the Ukrainian leader of treachery and predicted that he would cling to power until the very end. European politicians, he added, hope to reap substantial benefits from Zelensky’s determination to remain in office.
Meanwhile, Moscow has no plans to allow EU representatives to take part in the discussions on Ukraine. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov previously made clear that European officials would not receive invitations. The negotiations are expected to proceed in a strictly trilateral format involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine.