Peace talks on the war in Ukraine to be held in Abu Dhabi

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11, 2026, for talks mediated by the United States. These are the first direct negotiations between the warring sides since February 2026. The discussions, facilitated by American envoy Steve Witkoff, aim to address the cessation of hostilities, post-war security agreements, and de-escalation measures. The Russian delegation is confirmed to include Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov along with senior military officials and diplomats.

European representatives, including officials from the European Union, NATO, and the E3 group (France, Germany, and the UK), will participate on the sidelines to ensure that potential agreements do not undermine European and Ukrainian security interests. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed the active involvement of European nations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been in close contact with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to align positions. Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, is expected to hold coordination meetings with European partners upon arrival. This diplomatic initiative follows ongoing pressures, including critical energy and humanitarian challenges in Ukraine, as international efforts intensify to find a framework for ending the conflict initiated by the 2022 Russian invasion.