Ukraine, US and Russia begin three-way talks in Abu Dhabi
The first day of trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia negotiations on ending the war opened in Abu Dhabi on 10 November, focusing on security guarantees, de-escalation and humanitarian steps. The parties were reported to have agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange, while talks were due to continue on 11 November.
Key points
- The first trilateral round since February 2026 took place in Abu Dhabi on 10 November and was scheduled to continue on 11 November.
- The United States organized the talks and the United Arab Emirates provided the venue.
- Ukraine's delegation was led by Rustem Umerov and included Kyrylo Budanov, David Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytskyi and Vadym Skibitskyi.
- Russia was represented by Vladimir Medinsky, with Sergei Ryabkov joining the delegation for the first time.
- The sides discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and Ukraine's postwar future.
- A large-scale prisoner exchange was reported as an outcome of the first round.
- European representatives held separate meetings because Russia rejected their direct participation in the main talks.
Why it matters
The talks reopened a direct three-way negotiating channel after a long pause, with the United States mediating and the United Arab Emirates hosting. Their agenda linked an end to the fighting in Ukraine with decisions on postwar security guarantees, the role of NATO and possible US commitments. A reported agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange was the first round's concrete humanitarian outcome, but the fundamental disagreement over sequencing remained unresolved.
What happened
The first day began with separate consultations between the Ukrainian delegation and European and American partners. Ukraine then joined the United States and Russia in the main talks, with the American side represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and the Russian delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky.
The principal discussion concerned security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe, Russia's own security demands, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and the postwar architecture of European security. Ukraine presented the cessation of hostilities as the first step, while Russia said it would not halt fighting without understanding the future security framework. The sides also discussed possible prisoner releases, and a source close to the Ukrainian delegation reported an agreement on a large-scale exchange. No joint statement followed the first session, and negotiations were expected to resume on 11 November.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting emphasized Ukraine's refusal to exchange control of the Donbas for security guarantees, alongside the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and Ukraine's right to make its own decisions. Humanitarian measures, prisoner releases and de-escalation were presented as immediate priorities. Ukrainian officials described the first round as constructive but did not expect a breakthrough until the second round. They also voiced concern that a broad discussion of European security could give Moscow additional leverage to delay a ceasefire.
How international sources describe it
International coverage centered on the United States' mediating role, Russia's opposition to immediate cessation of hostilities and the prospect of European participation in a later round. Reports also highlighted uncertainty over whether Washington would provide NATO-like guarantees and whether President Donald Trump would honor them. The reported agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange was presented as a tangible result of the first day.
Where reporting differs
The central disagreement concerned the sequence of negotiations. Ukraine and European countries maintained that fighting must stop before talks on a new European security architecture begin. The US administration and Russia linked a ceasefire to broader security arrangements, possible sanctions changes or both. There was also a divide over the pace of diplomacy: Ukrainian officials doubted a breakthrough in the first round and questioned Trump's willingness to honor guarantees, while US negotiators expressed optimism about progress. Russia rejected Europe's direct participation in the main room, limiting the format, whereas the United States and Ukraine pressed for broader European involvement in the next round.
Background
Ukraine held separate coordination meetings in Abu Dhabi with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, the European Commission and the United States before joining the trilateral session. European delegates remained in the city but did not enter the main negotiating room because Russia objected. The meeting was the first three-way talks of this kind since February 2026.
US negotiators reportedly explored changes to the administrative boundaries of Donetsk and Luhansk, restoration of Russia's access to European energy markets and possible sanctions adjustments. Ukraine and its European partners rejected restoring Russian access to European energy markets during the war, and no agreement was reached on administrative boundaries. Zelensky said Ukraine wanted clear security guarantees but doubted a territorial concession would persuade Putin to stop the fighting.