US-mediated Ukraine-Russia talks set for Abu Dhabi on November 10-11
Working-level talks between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States, are scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi. The agenda is expected to cover postwar security, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps toward peace, while parallel consultations in Brussels will address European security guarantees and Ukraine's reconstruction.
Key points
- The talks will take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, 2026.
- The United States will act as mediator in the working-level talks.
- The agenda includes postwar security, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps toward peace.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead Russia's delegation.
- Ukraine wants the talks to address attacks on energy and critical infrastructure, the Black Sea and prisoner exchanges.
- Zelensky said territorial concessions are a red line that can only be discussed at the leaders' level.
- US negotiators will meet representatives of France, Germany, the UK, the EU and NATO in Brussels that week.
Why it matters
The meeting resumes US-mediated negotiations after a pause following the previous round in February. Its agenda combines immediate humanitarian and security concerns with preparations for a broader settlement. The talks may help prepare a leaders' meeting involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, with European participation, while parallel Brussels consultations will address security guarantees, Europe's postwar security architecture and Ukraine's reconstruction.
What happened
Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to hold working-level talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, with the United States participating as mediator. The discussions are expected to focus on postwar security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps toward peace. Vladimir Medinsky will head the Russian delegation. Ukraine has also proposed discussing an end to attacks on energy and critical infrastructure, unblocking the Black Sea, prisoner exchanges and the return of people home, as well as preparing a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the United States with European involvement. Zelensky said Ukraine would attend even if Washington insisted on a trilateral format without European representatives.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage places particular emphasis on Zelensky's red lines and negotiating priorities. Ukraine seeks guarantees of security that will not be dictated by Russia, regards limits on its armed forces and questions of sovereignty as non-negotiable, and opposes weakening international sanctions against Russia. It also wants the talks to cover energy and critical-infrastructure protection, Black Sea navigation, prisoner exchanges and preparations for a leaders' meeting.
How international sources describe it
International coverage foregrounds the diplomatic schedule, US mediation, the agenda and the participants, including Medinsky's role as head of the Russian delegation. It also highlights parallel Brussels consultations with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the EU and NATO on Ukraine's security guarantees, European postwar security and economic support for reconstruction. Merz's assessment that Russia has not shown serious willingness to negotiate accompanies the broader goal of advancing a lasting peace.
Background
The previous US-mediated round in Abu Dhabi took place in February and included an agreement to exchange 314 prisoners. The United States wants to build on progress made during talks in Kyiv, Oslo and Saint Petersburg. The new meeting follows a pause in mediated negotiations and is expected to advance discussions on security, de-escalation and humanitarian measures.