Ukraine, US and Russia open peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Negotiators have begun trilateral discussions on ending hostilities, with Ukraine playing down expectations of a breakthrough at the first meeting.
By Hassan Ellis ·
Talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia aimed at ending the war have begun in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The negotiations are scheduled for November 10 and 11, with the opening session bringing representatives of the three countries into a trilateral format.
Rustem Umierov, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, announced the start of the three-way discussions. He said the agenda addressed central questions concerning an end to hostilities and efforts to bring peace closer. Describing the Ukrainian delegation's approach, he said: "We are working in accordance with the tasks set by the Ukrainian president."
At the beginning of the meeting, Vladimir Medinsky, who heads the Russian delegation, voiced hope that the discussions would advance efforts towards peace. He said such progress should serve the interests of both Russia and Ukraine. His remarks came as the delegations began the talks in the UAE.
The trilateral meeting followed separate discussions held by the Ukrainian delegation with European partners and US special envoys. Those contacts took place ahead of the gathering with Russian representatives, before the negotiations moved into the format involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia together.
European representatives are also due to be in the UAE during the scheduled talks. They include security advisers representing the European Commission, the European Council, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The chief of staff to the NATO Secretary General will also be present in the country.
Ukraine's announced delegation includes Umierov and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office. Serhii Kyslytsia, first deputy head of the President's Office, is also among the officials named to represent Ukraine at the trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi.
The other Ukrainian representatives are Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, and Davyd Arakhamiia, who leads the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. Together with Umierov, Budanov and Kyslytsia, they make up the five officials listed for Ukraine's participation in the talks.
Before the meeting, the Ukrainian side had tempered expectations for the initial encounter with the Russian and US delegations in Abu Dhabi. It said it did not anticipate a breakthrough at that first meeting, while expressing hope that a second round would produce progress.
