US, Russia and Ukraine Hold Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine opened in Abu Dhabi on November 10, 2026, the first direct bilateral negotiations between the warring nations since February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the initial discussions as constructive and quite substantive, Al Jazeera reported. The two-day meetings in the capital of the United Arab Emirates focus on humanitarian concerns and long-term security guarantees.
Washington Pushes Framework
US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff are leading the trilateral diplomatic push. Kushner stated during the opening remarks that recent contacts had helped narrow gaps between the two sides. The goal of the current initiative is to create a new framework that draws on past agreements while avoiding previous pitfalls.
⚡️ The Russia-US-Ukraine trilateral talks with the participation of UAE as hosts have begun in Abu-Dhabi 📸 © Russia Today pic.twitter.com/BZb2l6tkt4
“We take what's worked, we try to identify what's failed, why we're in this position and hopefully create a new framework that leads us for decades, if not centuries, of peace,” US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said.
Divided Positions on Territory and Security
Despite the resumption of dialogue, Moscow and Kyiv remain deeply divided over core terms for a settlement. Russian forces currently occupy roughly twenty percent of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the eastern Donbas region.
Received a report from our negotiating team. Today was the first day of meetings in Abu Dhabi. First came a meeting with our European and American partners, followed by a trilateral format between our delegation and the American and Russian delegations. I am grateful to all of… pic.twitter.com/mesjgP1U8S
A senior Ukrainian official strongly denied that the government would consider territorial concessions, stating that land could only be discussed at a leaders’ level alongside binding security guarantees.
European Officials Seek Seat
The renewed diplomatic drive has galvanized European leaders eager to secure a voice in the architecture of post-war security. Before the main meeting in the UAE, Ukrainian representatives conferred separately with European, NATO, and European Union officials. France asserted that no lasting peace can take root in Europe without directly addressing continental security alongside European participants.
Russia previously signaled opposition to European participation in the direct trilateral format.
Uncertain Path Ahead
Negotiations are scheduled to continue through Wednesday. Whether the delegations can bridge fundamental differences on sovereignty and security architecture remains entirely open as the diplomatic process unfolds.
The quickest way to end Russia’s war is to hold the positions and move to discussions. What is very important here is that we decided: stop where we are, it’s a ceasefire, and we go to the diplomatic track. It can last one month, two months, or one year. Or it can last longer… pic.twitter.com/U3T5xO9Ex2
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