Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — Russia and Ukraine have returned to US-brokered diplomacy in Abu Dhabi, where delegations from the two countries are scheduled to hold two days of talks on November 10 and 11, in the first trilateral meeting with the United States since February. The renewed effort comes as President Donald Trump says a wider settlement may be possible, potentially linking the future of Ukraine with a broader European security framework.
The discussions bring together Russian, Ukrainian and American representatives at a moment when the sides remain far apart on territory, security guarantees and the conditions for ending the fighting. European officials are also in Abu Dhabi for separate consultations, but Moscow has resisted their participation in the main negotiating format. Reuters, the Associated Press and Deutsche Welle have all identified these issues as central to the latest diplomatic initiative.
US Seeks A Renewed Path To A Settlement
Washington’s latest initiative follows months of stalled diplomacy after earlier rounds of US-mediated discussions in January and February failed to produce a comprehensive agreement. US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are participating in the renewed effort.
According to reporting by the Associated Press and Deutsche Welle, the agenda is expected to cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian issues and steps towards a negotiated settlement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also identified an energy ceasefire, the Black Sea, further prisoner exchanges and preparations for a possible leaders’ meeting as issues Kyiv wants addressed.
Trump has described the possibility of a broader agreement involving more than Ukraine. US officials have discussed a future security framework for Ukraine and Europe, although key details remain unsettled and no comprehensive agreement has been announced.
Europe Wants A Direct Role In Decisions Affecting Its Security
France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Commission and NATO are represented in parallel consultations around the Abu Dhabi meeting. European governments argue that any settlement affecting the continent’s security cannot be negotiated without their involvement.
Russia has made clear that it does not want European officials taking part in the core negotiations between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington. Instead, Ukrainian representatives are expected to brief European partners separately on developments. Reuters reported that Ukraine’s delegation head, Rustem Umerov, said Kyiv was working to ensure Europe remained a participant in the diplomatic process.
The disagreement reflects a wider question: whether the negotiations will focus narrowly on ending the war in Ukraine or develop into a broader discussion about NATO, Russia and the European security order. The Guardian has reported that possible ideas under discussion include a new long-term security framework, while European officials have expressed concern about being excluded from decisions that directly affect them.
Territory Remains The Biggest Barrier
The most difficult issue remains the future of occupied Ukrainian territory. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the entire Donbas region, while Kyiv rejects surrendering territory that Ukrainian forces have defended.
The Associated Press reports that Moscow’s wider demands have included Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions Russia claims to have annexed, rejection of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and limits on Ukraine’s military. Kyiv rejects territorial concessions and restrictions that it believes would weaken its ability to defend itself.
Reuters reported that US officials believe some compromise might be possible, potentially involving security guarantees and a pathway towards European Union membership for Ukraine. However, a senior Ukrainian official strongly rejected the suggestion that Kyiv was prepared to make territorial concessions under the terms being discussed. Ukraine’s position is that territorial questions require a leaders-level discussion and must be considered alongside credible security guarantees.
Security Guarantees And The Future Of NATO
For Ukraine, a peace agreement is not only about stopping the current fighting. Kyiv wants guarantees that Russia will not launch another invasion after a settlement. The form, enforcement and international backing of those guarantees are therefore likely to be among the most consequential subjects in Abu Dhabi.
Russia has repeatedly opposed Ukraine joining NATO and has raised wider objections to the alliance’s military presence in Eastern Europe. The Associated Press says Moscow’s demands have included limits on Ukraine’s military and its future security arrangements. NATO’s position and the role of European governments could therefore become central to any broader agreement.
US officials have indicated that discussions with European partners have addressed what Ukraine’s post-war security architecture might look like. However, officials have not publicly set out a final framework, and European governments have stressed that their own security cannot be decided without them.
Fighting Continues While Diplomats Meet
The diplomatic initiative is unfolding while military operations continue. Reuters and the Associated Press report that Russia has continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, while Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone strikes against Russian oil facilities and other targets.
A proposed pause in attacks on energy targets, announced by Trump last month, did not develop into a lasting truce. The continued strikes underline the challenge facing negotiators: they are attempting to build confidence and discuss a possible settlement while both countries remain engaged in active hostilities.
What The Abu Dhabi Talks Could Deliver
The immediate test for the talks may be whether the three sides can agree on practical steps rather than resolve every political disagreement at once. Possible areas for progress include expanded prisoner exchanges, humanitarian arrangements, protection of energy infrastructure, de-escalation measures and a process for discussing security guarantees.
Deutsche Welle quoted Ukrainian lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia as expressing caution about expectations of a quick breakthrough after the long pause in negotiations. The resumption of direct trilateral talks is a diplomatic development, but it does not by itself mean that the parties are close to a final peace agreement.
Much will depend on whether Moscow and Kyiv can narrow their differences over territory and security, and whether Washington can coordinate its proposal with European governments. A settlement that does not address Ukraine’s security concerns, Russia’s stated demands and Europe’s role could face serious obstacles to implementation.
For now, the Abu Dhabi meeting represents a renewed diplomatic channel rather than a breakthrough. Its significance will be measured by concrete outcomes, the willingness of the parties to compromise and whether any commitments can be translated into a verifiable reduction in violence.
Sources And Further Reading
- Reuters: Russia And Ukraine To Meet For US-Backed Talks After Trump Says Broad Deal Possible — reporting on the agenda, delegations, territorial dispute and European involvement.
- Associated Press: US-Brokered Talks Set To Start In Abu Dhabi To Discuss Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal — background on the positions of Moscow and Kyiv and the proposed security discussions.
- Deutsche Welle: Ukraine, Russia And US Return To Talks In Abu Dhabi — What To Expect — explainer on the negotiating teams, agenda and expectations.
- The Guardian: US Officials Seek A Final End To Russia-Ukraine War As Abu Dhabi Talks Begin — analysis of the proposed European security framework and concerns raised by European officials.
- Euronews: Who’s Who From Ukraine And Russia At The Abu Dhabi Peace Talks? — profiles of the delegations and the significance of their composition.
- Reuters via Investing.com: Europeans Will Join Ukraine Talks In Abu Dhabi, French Minister Says — earlier confirmation of European participation in the wider diplomatic process.
Image credit: Abu Dhabi skyline by comedian44 via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. The photograph is illustrative and does not depict the peace talks.