Russia and Ukraine Begin Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi Mediated by the US

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are meeting in Abu Dhabi on November 10, 2026, for US-backed peace talks aimed at ending the war that has been ongoing for approximately 4.5 years. These contacts, the first since February, come after President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of a comprehensive agreement that could also include Europe's security architecture.

The Russian delegation at the talks is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and military official Yuri Zhigarlovsky. Although European countries have also sent representatives to Abu Dhabi, the Russian side is not keen on European participation in the direct negotiations. Therefore, it is planned that Ukrainian delegates will brief their European allies on the progress of the talks in separate sessions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that recent field successes in the Donetsk region have strengthened Ukraine's negotiating position. While US negotiators believe a compromise on territory may be possible, a senior Ukrainian official stated that they would not consider any territorial concessions outside of leader-level talks that include security guarantees.