Ukraine, US, and Russia Begin Trilateral Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi

The Ukrainian negotiating team arrived in the United Arab Emirates on 9 November to prepare for trilateral discussions with the United States and Russia. Rustem Umierov, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, confirmed the delegation's departure on social media. The main talks are scheduled for 10 and 11 November.

European allies are attending the same event in Abu Dhabi. Representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy will join the sessions. Officials from NATO and the European Commission are also present. Umierov said Ukraine plans to hold separate coordination meetings with these partners to ensure their positions match before the trilateral talks begin.

The goal is to keep European interests integrated into the diplomatic process. Umierov stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directed the team to ensure Europe remains part of the negotiations. He noted that close coordination is essential for sharing a common understanding of the next steps.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, special envoys for US President Donald Trump, have been active in the preparatory work. The Ukrainian team expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting the venue and providing ongoing support. The attendance list includes senior figures from across the Atlantic, such as security advisers from Germany, France, and the UK, and the chief of staff for the NATO secretary general.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke by phone with Zelenskyy on 9 November. Their conversation focused on security concerns in the Black Sea region and the logistics of the upcoming talks. This dialogue followed a recent suggestion by President Trump that a deal to end the war is very close. Trump indicated the agreement might result in a slightly different shape for Ukraine without providing specific details on territorial or political changes.