A new round of talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia at the level of negotiating teams may take place on 4 November in Abu Dhabi. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously mentioned 27 October as the date. Ukraine has confirmed its readiness for dialogue on a ceasefire and ending the war; however, the parties have not yet issued a joint official announcement regarding the timing of the meeting.
Briefly about the main points
- Tusk named 4 November as the provisional date for the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
- Teams from Ukraine, the US and Russia are to take part in the talks.
- Moscow had previously stated that it was prepared to resume dialogue only after that date.
- Stubb and Støre discussed the war and future contacts with Putin.
- Kyiv will raise the issues of energy, the Black Sea and security guarantees.
The dates of the meeting are still to be agreed by the parties
Tusk He did not specify the composition of the delegations nor did he say whether all participants had finally agreed to the proposed timetable. The Ukrainian side had previously stated that it was prepared to hold a meeting in the first half of November; the timing of the meeting depends, in particular, on Russia’s position.
Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Yuriy Ushakov On 25 October, he said that Moscow was ready to resume tripartite talks only after 4 November. This statement suggests there may be some disagreement regarding the timing of the meeting.
Stubb and Støre discussed with Putin the possibilities for ending the war
President of Finland Alexander Stubb and the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gar Støre On 27 October, they rang To Vladimir Putin from Helsinki. The Office of the President of Finland stated that the conversation followed on from the consultations that took place in Oslo on 20 October.
The leaders discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, the prospects for its conclusion and future negotiations. According to Tusk, contact with the Kremlin took place following consultations with Warsaw, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the American side.
Following the call, Stubb told the Polish Prime Minister that the parties had maintained their positions, but expressed cautious optimism regarding possible progress. Tusk urged caution in assessing the prospects for an agreement with Moscow, given the significant differences between the parties.
Kyiv links the negotiations to a halt to attacks on the energy sector
Zelenskyy confirmed that preparations were under way for the November talks between the Ukrainian, American and Russian delegations. Following discussions between Stubb and Støre and Putin, he discussed the forthcoming meeting with them.
The President stated that Russia must take concrete steps to de-escalation, first and foremost, to cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector and infrastructure. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga confirmed Kyiv’s readiness to hold talks in the UAE.
Among the possible topics, Sibiga mentioned security guarantees, a partial ceasefire, the situation in the Black Sea and the protection of the power grid. He also emphasised the need for a face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, as the negotiating teams do not have the authority to take all the key decisions required to end the war.
