Trilateral peace talks held in Abu Dhabi to address the war in Ukraine

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine intensified on November 10-11, 2026, as representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States convened in Abu Dhabi. These negotiations marked the first direct high-level meeting between Moscow and Kyiv since February. The delegations were led by Vladimir Medinsky for Russia, Rustem Umerov for Ukraine, and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. While the first day was described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as constructive, focusing on humanitarian issues such as prisoner exchanges and repatriation of children, tensions persist over territorial disputes and security guarantees.

Discussions continued into Wednesday, though reports indicated shorter sessions and a lack of significant breakthroughs regarding the core conflict points. Moscow has expressed opposition to any ceasefire that does not include a clear roadmap for European security, while Kyiv seeks long-term financial backing to maintain a standing army of 800,000 personnel. European representatives from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom also arrived in the UAE to hold parallel consultations, emphasizing that no lasting peace can be secured without addressing broader European security architecture. Despite the diplomatic activity, regional hostilities continue, as evidenced by a recent drone strike on the strategic Russian Ust-Luga port facility.