Russia and US confirm trilateral Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi
The U.S.-mediated negotiations in the United Arab Emirates will focus on security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian issues.
Russia and the United States have confirmed that trilateral peace talks over the war in Ukraine will take place in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November.
The negotiations, mediated by Washington, aim to address security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian concerns following more than four years of full-scale conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Tuesday that Moscow’s delegation will arrive in the United Arab Emirates next week, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
Medinsky, a 56-year-old former culture minister who previously led Russian delegations during failed talks in Istanbul and Geneva, was appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin to head Moscow's negotiators. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month, announced the dates after preliminary discussions in October.
| Track | Date | Location | Primary Focus | Key Representatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trilateral Peace Talks | 10–11 November 2026 | Abu Dhabi | Security, de-escalation, humanitarian issues | Vladimir Medinsky, Steve Witkoff |
| Kherson Ceasefire Summit | 6 November 2026 | Washington, DC | Local ceasefire in Oleshky and Kherson evacuation | Melania Trump |
| NATO & EU Consultations | This week | Brussels | Postwar security guarantees, reconstruction | U.S. negotiators, European officials |
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed hope that the Abu Dhabi discussions will pave the way for direct negotiations between top leadership. Zelenskyy has repeatedly stressed that Kyiv must be a direct participant in any decision regarding Ukraine's future, responding to Kremlin statements about a potential trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, the U.S., and China that would exclude Ukraine.
"Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Zelenskyy said, insisting that peace negotiations must involve Kyiv at the table.
Alongside the Abu Dhabi track, U.S. negotiators are scheduled to meet European and NATO officials in Brussels this week to deliberate postwar security guarantees and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
In Washington, First Lady Melania Trump will host Ukrainian and Russian representatives at the White House on Thursday to discuss a regional ceasefire in the Kherson region. The meeting follows a six-day pause in hostilities in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky that ended on Monday, designed to allow civilian evacuations. Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of utilising the temporary lull to bolster military positions around the town. The White House stated that Melania Trump will deliver remarks on the ceasefire at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dates of Abu Dhabi peace talks | 10-11 November 2026 | Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and US special envoy Steve Witkoff |
| Age of chief Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky | 56 | Kremlin records cited by media reports |
| Duration of Kherson regional evacuation ceasefire | 6 days | The White House |
| Time of White House ceasefire remarks | 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday | The White House |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Volodymyr Zelenskyy | President of Ukraine pushing for direct leadership meeting with Putin |
| Abu Dhabi | Host city for the U.S.-mediated peace talks |
