Ukraine begins Abu Dhabi consultations ahead of trilateral talks with US and Russia
Ukraine's delegation has begun coordinating positions with European partners and US envoys before negotiations with Russian representatives scheduled for 10 and 11 November.
By Larissa Bell ·
Ukraine has begun consultations with European partners and US special envoys in the United Arab Emirates ahead of planned trilateral negotiations with Russia, Rustem Umierov, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, said on 10 November. The meetings in Abu Dhabi are part of talks scheduled for 10 and 11 November.
In a Telegram statement, Umierov said the Ukrainian delegation's opening meeting brought together representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission. US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also joined the discussions. He described the consultations as preparation for the next stage of negotiations.
The purpose of the initial meeting, according to Umierov, is to bring the participants' positions into alignment and coordinate their next steps. He said the delegation would then move to three-way talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia. His statement described the start of the preparatory discussions rather than reporting results from the trilateral meeting.
Umierov outlined Ukraine's priorities for the negotiations as ending hostilities, securing dependable guarantees for the period after the war, supporting the country's economic recovery and development, and pursuing humanitarian measures. He said the delegation was working to make as much progress as possible on those issues and move closer to peace.
The announced participants in the peace talks also include representatives of the European Commission and European Council, along with German, French and British officials at security adviser level. The NATO secretary general's chief of staff is also expected to attend the Abu Dhabi talks.
Ukraine's delegation for the trilateral negotiations is to include Umierov and Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office. Other announced members are Serhii Kyslytsia, first deputy head of the President's Office; Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine; and Davyd Arakhamiia, who leads the Servant of the People parliamentary faction.
The Ukrainian side had previously tempered expectations for the opening meeting with Russian and US representatives in Abu Dhabi. It said it did not anticipate a breakthrough at that meeting, while expressing greater hope for a second round of negotiations.
The consultations follow a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on 9 November. After that meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country's troops were strengthening Ukraine's position at the negotiating table.
