Delegates from Ukraine and Russia will meet for peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, with the United States acting as mediator, Kreml confirmed on Tuesday.
The talks will take place at the staff level rather than between political leaders, US special envoy Steve Witkoff stated overnight. Vladimir Medinskyj, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will lead the Russian delegation.
Diplomatic Preparations in Brussels and Oslo
Before the Abu Dhabi meetings take place, American negotiators are scheduled to meet with representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and NATO in Brussels this week, according to Witkoff. Envoy Steve Witkoff outlined the agenda in a post on X, noting that the discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and the path toward peace.
The United States will mediate working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi, advancing President Trump’s mission to end the war. Discussions will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps…
Witkoff visited Oslo in October to meet with Ukrainian representatives, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, before traveling directly to St. Petersburg for talks with Vladimir Putin. The special envoy subsequently returned to Norway for a follow-up meeting with Jonas Gahr Støre at Gardermoen.
European officials barred from direct talks in Abu Dhabi
European officials may be present during the November talks in Abu Dhabi, but they will not participate directly in the negotiations, according to Kremlin aide Jurij Usjakov. Usjakov stated that European representatives will only be permitted to maintain contact with Ukraine and the United States, and will have no direct communication with Russia during the process.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that European participation will become necessary at a later stage in the peace process, though no detailed discussions on that involvement have occurred yet. Meanwhile, Kreml stated that plans are underway for a trilateral meeting involving Putin, Trump, and Xi in November, following recent high-level military contacts between Beijing and Moscow.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Abu Dhabi Talks
Who is leading the Russian negotiating team?
Vladimir Medinskyj, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, serves as Russia’s chief negotiator for the talks.
What topics are on the agenda for the November meetings?
According to US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the discussions will center on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation of the conflict, humanitarian efforts, and the roadmap to peace.
Will European nations participate in the negotiations?
Kremlin aide Jurij Usjakov stated that European officials may be present in Abu Dhabi but will not take part in the actual negotiations, and will only communicate with Ukraine and the United States.
What role does the United States play in the upcoming talks?
The United States is acting as the mediator for the staff-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, following preparatory meetings between American officials and representatives from NATO, the EU, France, Germany, and the UK in Brussels.
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