Russia and Ukraine begin talks in Abu Dhabi with US mediation

Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. delegations reconvened trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10, following a nine-month hiatus. The talks aim to address critical issues surrounding the cessation of hostilities and progress toward peace, according to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence chief, Rustem Umerov. This marks the first such meeting since February's Geneva negotiations, which concluded without a breakthrough.

As winter approaches, Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, prompting Kyiv to seek technical-level discussions on prisoner exchanges and potential maritime and energy ceasefires, paving the way for a future summit at the highest level.

U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are participating in the meetings, along with Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, Russian and Ukrainian military intelligence officials, and European representatives from France, Germany, the U.K., and Italy, as well as NATO and EU officials. While Ukrainian delegation head, Rustem Umerov, does not anticipate a breakthrough in this first round of talks, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, expresses more optimism about the second round.

The discussions will focus on humanitarian matters, prisoner exchanges, and the establishment of a maritime and energy ceasefire. The U.S.-brokered talks will also explore broader security arrangements in Europe and postwar security concerns for both Kyiv and Moscow. Despite numerous previous setbacks, including the Kremlin's insistence on Ukraine's withdrawal from the occupied Donbas region and a ban on Ukraine's NATO membership, Zelensky has emphasized the need for unconditional ceasefires and postwar security guarantees, including Western support for Ukraine's military and a reassurance force led by NATO.