In brief: Ukraine, the US, and Russia have begun trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war. Territory, security guarantees, and a possible ceasefire reportedly are among the key issues, with no major breakthrough expected in the first round.
Trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia have begun in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as the three countries seek to narrow their differences over ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The two-day talks are expected to focus on security guarantees for Ukraine, a possible ceasefire and mechanisms to monitor compliance, as well as a post-war security arrangement.
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Russia’s state news agency TASS reported in a Telegram post at 10:16 a.m., citing a source: “Trilateral talks between the Russian Federation, the United States, and Ukraine have begun in Abu Dhabi.”
The first images and footage from the venue of the negotiations were released shortly afterward.
Who’s at the negotiating table?
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Rustem Umerov, Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, and also includes Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Presidential Office; Davyd Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction; Serhiy Kyslytsya, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office; and Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Chief of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
The US delegation includes Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy.
The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also includes:
Agenda covers 4 main areas
According to Kushner, the agenda covers four main areas: ending hostilities; establishing robust post-war security guarantees and arrangements to prevent the conflict from resuming; developing a comprehensive economic recovery and prosperity plan for Ukraine; and addressing humanitarian issues.
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Ukraine plans to focus particular attention on the humanitarian track. Budanov said Kyiv is interested in stepping up prisoner exchanges.
Moscow, meanwhile, says the first item on the agenda is discussing security issues concerning Russia, Ukraine, and the wider region.
Security guarantees and ceasefire monitoring
Security guarantees for Ukraine are expected to be another major focus of the discussions.
The New York Times reported that negotiators would concentrate primarily on security guarantees designed to prevent Russia from resuming its invasion, rather than pursuing an immediate ceasefire.
Bloomberg, citing a US official, reported that the first session would focus on ceasefire monitoring and post-war security arrangements, while the second would address territorial settlements.
The discussions could also include a potential NATO-style Article 5 defense commitment for Ukraine, according to the US official cited by Reuters.
Territorial dispute remains key obstacle
Territorial issues are expected to be among the most difficult subjects in the negotiations.
Both Russia and Ukraine have privately shown some willingness to compromise over a possible territorial exchange, a US official told Reuters.
However, their public positions remain far apart. Ukraine wants Russia to withdraw to the countries’ original borders, while Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to demand control over the entire Donbas region.
The US official said any territorial agreement would likely come toward the end of negotiations, after the sides had addressed other issues, including a post-war security arrangement.
Ukraine does not expect immediate breakthrough
Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough during the first round of negotiations but has certain expectations for subsequent meetings, Arakhamia said.
He described the resumption of negotiations after a lengthy hiatus as an achievement in itself and said Washington was seeking to maintain a symmetrical approach without taking either side.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine’s battlefield successes and mounting Russian losses are strengthening Kyiv’s position in the negotiations.
Europe’s role in negotiations
Representatives of the E4 format (the UK, France, Germany, and Italy), the EU, and NATO will hold separate coordination meetings with the Ukrainian delegation ahead of the trilateral negotiations.
The European representatives include UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell; Günter Sautter, foreign policy adviser to the German chancellor; Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president; and Fabrizio Saggio, adviser to the Italian prime minister.
The EU will be represented by Björn Seibert, Head of Cabinet to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Anna-Maria Boura, adviser to the President of the European Council. NATO’s representative will be Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Director of the Office of the Secretary General.
According to Kushner, the US delegation will also meet with representatives of Ukraine, the EU, NATO, and European countries before the trilateral talks begin.
European representatives will not take part directly in the negotiations. Instead, Kyiv will hold separate consultations with its partners to coordinate their positions.
“As directed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, we are doing everything possible to ensure that Europe is a participant in the diplomatic process,” Umerov said.
Notably, ahead of talks Ukrainian negotiators met with US envoys and representatives of European countries and NATO.
“The first meeting will be held with representatives of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the European Commission, joined by US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” Umerov said on Telegram.
“We will align our positions and coordinate our steps ahead of the next stage of negotiations,” he added.
This news story might be updated as more information becomes available.
Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.
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