Ukraine has finalised the composition of its delegation for the trilateral talks with the US and Russia, scheduled for 10–11 November 2026 in Abu Dhabi. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing a source, the Ukrainian delegation will be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Kirill Budanov, David Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia, Andriy Hnatov and Vadym Skibitsky will also take part in the talks.
The main aim of the meeting will be to discuss possible steps towards ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Representatives from Washington and Moscow will take part in the talks, and European partners also plan to join the diplomatic process.
Who was part of the Ukrainian delegation?
According to a source at RBC-Ukraine, the negotiating team will be led by Rustem Umerov — the head of Foreign intelligence services and one of the key Ukrainian representatives in the previous rounds of peace talks.
The delegation will also include:
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Kirill Budanov is the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
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Davyd Arakhamia is the leader of the «Servant of the People» parliamentary group.
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Serhiy Kyslytsia is the First Deputy Head of the Office of the President.
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Andriy Gnativ is the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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Vadym Skibitsky is the Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence.
Military matters will be coordinated during the negotiations Gnatov і Skibitsky. It is expected that their work will involve discussing the practical aspects of a possible cessation of hostilities.
There had previously been some confusion regarding the head of the Ukrainian delegation. Following reports that the negotiating team would allegedly be led by Budanov, the President’s adviser on communications Dmytro Lytvyn he clarified that Budanov would be attending the meeting. David Arakhamia also confirmed to *The Kyiv Independent* that Umerov remains the head of the delegation.
What Ukraine, the US and Russia will be discussing
A tripartite meeting They plan to hold the talks on 10–11 November in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This will be the first such round of talks since February 2026.
Key issues include the cessation of hostilities, future security guarantees for Ukraine, humanitarian arrangements and mechanisms for implementing any agreements.
On 4 November, the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with US representatives Steve Witkoff і Jared Kushner. The parties discussed preparations for the meeting in Abu Dhabi, Ukraine’s proposals and the need to strengthen air defences.
On 6 November, Zelenskyy also discussed an upcoming meeting with the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic states. The President emphasised the need to ensure the involvement of European partners in matters relating to the continent’s security.
Europe will join the talks in Abu Dhabi
On 8 November, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barro stated that European representatives would take part in diplomatic consultations in Abu Dhabi.
According to Reuters, France has confirmed its intention to take part in the meeting, but has not yet announced the members of its delegation.
Russia has also appointed a negotiating team. According to a Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, it will be headed by an aide to the Russian president Vladimir Medinsky.
The participants from the Russian side are said to include deputy foreign ministers Sergey Ryabkov і Mikhail Galuzin, head of military intelligence Igor Kostyukov and a representative of the General Staff Yuriy Zhigarlovsky.
As of 8 November, preparations for the talks are ongoing. The composition of the Ukrainian delegation has been confirmed by media reports and statements from individual participants, but no new official document containing a full list of participants for the November meeting has yet been published. The outcome of the talks will depend on the positions of all parties and the agreements they are able to reach in Abu Dhabi.
