Russia and Ukraine Wrap Up Final Day of Abu Dhabi Peace Talks

Russia's negotiating team at the US-Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi from November 10-11 comprised five key delegation members and six experts. The delegation's make-up remained confidential until media outlets reported on it. The head of the delegation was presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, a former lawmaker, culture minister, and head of the Russian Military Historical Society.

Deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin had been involved in talks since 2025 and oversaw relations with CIS countries. First-time participant Sergei Ryabkov, deputy foreign minister, focused on U.S., Canada, Latin America, BRICS, and arms control relations. Alexey Komkov, head of the FSB's operational information and international relations department, joined the talks for the first time.

Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Igor Kostyukov, faced U.S. and EU sanctions. First-time FSB deputy head Dmitry Minaev, head of the Counterintelligence Operations Department, was among the negotiators. This was Minaev's first appearance at the talks, which included discussions of prisoner exchanges.

Deputy head of the General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate, Yuri Zhigarlovsky, had previously participated in trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. in January 2026.