US, Russia, Ukraine Negotiators Begin Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
Negotiators from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv commenced discussions in Abu Dhabi today on ending the conflict, while G7 foreign ministers concluded their Paris meeting addressing Ukraine and Middle East stability.
The conversation that mattered
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States began critical talks in Abu Dhabi today, aiming to find a path to end the prolonged conflict. This two-day session marks the first such direct engagement in over nine months, with security guarantees topping the agenda.
European representatives are also present for separate discussions with Kyiv. US President Donald Trump has advocated for an end to the conflict, though Europe and Ukraine express concerns that Washington might push for a settlement perceived as capitulation.
Ukrainian chief negotiator Rustem Umerov is leading Kyiv's delegation, while Russia's chief negotiator remains Vladimir Medinsky. Moscow continues to demand Ukrainian territory it has not captured, while Kyiv insists on security guarantees against future aggression.
The Kremlin has indicated negotiations will remain trilateral, despite European interest in broader involvement. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized that no solution could be reached without Europe, urging Moscow to abandon maximalist demands.
These talks in the UAE capital are seen as a crucial test of Russia's willingness to genuinely negotiate. The outcome of these discussions will significantly influence the diplomatic calendar for the coming weeks.
Today's meetings
| Actor One | Actor Two | Venue Or Format | What Was Discussed | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Secretary of State Marco Rubio | Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha | Paris, France (G7 sidelines) | Support to Ukraine. | Signals continued US commitment to Ukraine amidst broader G7 discussions. |
| CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov | Foreign Ministers of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan | Moscow, International Forum on Collective Security | Exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to Eurasian security. | Signals regional cooperation on security matters within the CSTO framework. |
| Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal | Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos | Antalya, Türkiye (COP31 sidelines) | Climate change, sustainable LDC graduation, trade, air connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people contacts. | Signals deepening bilateral ties and collaboration on climate action and mutual development. |
Joint statements + readouts
G7 Foreign Ministers
Topic: Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific stability
Key Line: The G7 top diplomats underscored the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed their 'strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, including in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and across the Taiwan Strait'.
Multilateral pulse
G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, Paris. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in sessions on Stability in the Middle East and Support to Ukraine, concluding the two-day meeting.
International Forum on Collective Security, Moscow. CSTO Secretary General Talatbek Masadykov and foreign ministers from member states discussed Eurasian security.
COP31, Antalya, Türkiye. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal addressed the opening plenary, highlighting the urgency of a dedicated work programme on 'Mountain and Climate Change'.
Bilateral threads worth following
US ↔ China
Current State: Disagreements persist over the format for a proposed trilateral meeting.
Last Move: Reports on November 10 indicate the US and China disagree on the format for a proposed trilateral meeting between Presidents Trump, Xi, and Putin ahead of the APEC summit.
US ↔ Iran
Current State: Diplomatic efforts continue amidst regional tensions, with Iran outlining conditions for a regional security arrangement.
Last Move: On November 10, Iran's foreign ministry outlined conditions for a proposed diplomatic arrangement that it said could restore regional security within two days.
EU ↔ UK
Current State: Preparations are underway for an upcoming bilateral summit.
Last Move: The second EU-UK summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels on November 20, 2026.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government to discuss Artificial Intelligence in Dublin, Ireland, on November 13.
- Meeting of the European Political Community on November 12.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.