Ukraine, US and Russia to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi
Trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia are scheduled in Abu Dhabi as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The discussions are expected to focus on post-war security, while European officials are expected to hold related consultations and meetings alongside them.
Key points
- The trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US and Russia are scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi.
- The Ukrainian delegation will include Rustem Umriev, Kyrylo Budanov, Serhii Kyslytsia, Vadym Skibitskyi and David Arakhamia.
- The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Vladimir Putin.
- Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will represent the United States.
- European officials from the European Commission, the European Council, Germany, France, Italy and NATO are expected in Abu Dhabi.
- The proposed framework includes security consultations, crisis communication lines and mutual de-escalation measures.
- Ukraine does not expect a breakthrough at the first meeting but hopes for progress from the second round.
Why it matters
The talks could become the start of a new multilateral negotiation process involving European states. Their outcomes may affect the post-war security architecture for Ukraine, possible guarantees from allies if another attack occurs, and the broader European security format.
What happened
Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US and Russia are expected to take place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. The Ukrainian side is to be represented by Rustem Umriev, Kyrylo Budanov, Serhii Kyslytsia, Vadym Skibitskyi and David Arakhamia. The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, while Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will represent the US.
The agenda is expected to include post-war security questions and a proposed framework for security consultations, crisis communication lines and mutual de-escalation measures. The US has proposed moving toward a multilateral format that brings Europeans into the discussions. European Commission and European Council representatives, security advisers from Germany, France, Italy and the UK, and NATO officials are expected to attend related meetings, although the European team is not expected to join the main trilateral session directly.
The talks are taking place ahead of the fifth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine reportedly does not expect a breakthrough at the first meeting but hopes for progress beginning with the second round. Questions concerning control over Donbas and territorial issues are unlikely to be resolved until the post-war security architecture has been determined.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the delegation’s composition, the strengthening of Ukraine’s negotiating position through military representatives and the expectation of progress from the second round. Another major issue is control over Donbas and whether allies would provide security guarantees in the event of another attack.
How international sources describe it
The process is framed as an initial trilateral meeting accompanied by wider European consultations. Attention centers on consultation mechanisms, crisis communication lines, de-escalation measures and the possible revival of the NATO-Russia Council, whose work has been largely suspended since 2022. A possible Russian objective involving a NATO withdrawal from Eastern Europe is expected to concern European participants.
Where reporting differs
The dates of the trilateral talks are reported inconsistently: one account gives February 1, while another sets them for November 10–11.
Background
The negotiations are taking place ahead of the fifth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Officials have proposed reviving the NATO-Russia Council, which has been practically inactive since 2022. An American official expressed hope that Russians would join the negotiation process but acknowledged the negative experience of Russia’s engagement with Europeans.