Negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine began in the United Arab Emirates on 10 November. The first stage involves a meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, which will also be joined by US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Once positions have been agreed, trilateral talks are planned between Ukraine, the US and Russia, at which the cessation of hostilities, security guarantees, economic recovery and humanitarian issues will be discussed.
- Diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war began in Abu Dhabi on 10 November.
- The first meeting is being held with representatives from Europe, NATO and the European Commission.
- American representatives Witkoff and Kushner will also take part in the consultations.
- The next stage involves trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US and Russia.
Ukraine has begun consultations with Europe and the US
According to Umerova, the first item on the agenda was a meeting with representatives of leading European countries, NATO and the European Commission. The following are expected to take part in the consultations: Steve Witkoff і Jared Kushner, who represent the US President’s administration Donald Trump.
The participants plan to coordinate their positions ahead of the next stage of the diplomatic process, at which the Russian delegation will join the talks.
The Ukrainian side, together with Umerov, is represented by the Head of the President’s Office Kirill Budanov, Member of Parliament David Arahamia, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Sergey Kislitsa and Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Vadym Skibitskyi.
The meeting with European partners will take a different format. European representatives will not be directly involved in the main trilateral negotiations with Russia, as Moscow has opposed expanding the membership.
What issues will Ukraine raise in its negotiations with Russia?
Rustem Umerov has identified four key areas on which the Ukrainian delegation will focus: the cessation of hostilities, reliable post-war security guarantees, the country’s economic recovery and development, and humanitarian issues.
According to the Ukrainian leadership, future agreements must include effective mechanisms to prevent a repeat of Russian aggression. They plan to focus in particular on de-escalation measures, the protection of energy infrastructure and the exchange of prisoners of war.
The US side regards the meeting in Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to resume direct consultations between Kyiv and Moscow after a long hiatus. The previous round of trilateral talks took place in February 2026.
Russia insists on a trilateral format without Europe
On the eve of the talks, the Kremlin stated that the official format provides for the participation of Ukraine, the US and Russia only. At the same time, Kyiv’s European partners insist that decisions regarding the continent’s post-war security cannot be taken without their involvement.
According to Reuters, the territorial issue remains one of the most complex. Moscow continues to demand the transfer of the entire Donbas region to it, whilst Ukraine rejects any territorial concessions and insists on effective security guarantees.
Trilateral talks, mediated by the US, are scheduled for 10–11 November. The Russian delegation is led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky. The initial results of the diplomatic consultations have not yet been announced.
