Delegations from Ukraine and Russia returned to the negotiating table in Abu Dhabi on November 10, marking the first direct talks mediated by the United States in nine months, Euronews.com reported.
The composition of the two negotiating teams lays bare starkly contrasting goals as diplomacy resumes in the United Arab Emirates. While Kyiv maintains its focus on securing a ceasefire as a first step toward a peace agreement, Moscow has added senior figures to its delegation.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s secret services, is leading the Ukrainian team. He is joined by members of the delegation, ensuring continuity with previous rounds, Euronews.com noted.
Today, I begin a visit to the Black Sea region, where security threats are escalating, attacks are increasing, and innocent lives have been lost. In Romania and Bulgaria, I will meet with leaders to discuss the situation on the ground and how Europe can strengthen its response.…
Kiev insists that any broader accord must protect its sovereignty and provide credible security guarantees against future aggression.
Russia countered by sending presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky alongside high-ranking officials. Medinsky, an adviser to Vladimir Putin, edited a school textbook directed at primary and secondary school students that describes the 2022 invasion as being forced by NATO’s expansion policy and the 2014 removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Donald Trump suggested that a prospective deal could involve a broader reconfiguration of European security.
Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that a major agreement was coming. “Vai haver um acordo. Vai ser um grande acordo e vai envolver mais do que a Ucrânia”, Trump said, according to Euronews.com. Dmitriev diz o que Trump quer ouvir, Kushner tem “música para ouvidos russos”
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, stressed during a G7 ministerial meeting that a binding European security architecture already exists on paper. “Já temos uma arquitetura de segurança europeia em vigor”, Kallas stated, pointing out that Russia has not been respecting these international agreements regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Major-general Agostinho Costa, speaking to CNN Portugal, noted that for the first time since the start of the “special military operation,” there will be a trilateral meeting with the agenda directed toward the causes of the war and meeting both sides. European delegations from Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom are attending in parallel formats to discuss security architecture and find ways to reduce future conflicts.
“A nossa equipa de negociação já está nos Emirados Árabes Unidos. “Fundamentalmente, querem saber o que vai acontecer.” Tiago André Lopes considera que “a União Europeia está a sustentar a sua presença numa negociação da qual nunca fará parte” e, mesmo que esteja presente, “vai numa condição muito complicada de observador para apenas ver o que ali se passa”.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the talks would advance a negotiated settlement compliant with the UN Charter, according to deputy spokesman Farhan Haq in Jornal de Notícias. UN officials are also tracking whether these diplomatic channels might restore crucial maritime trade pathways like the former Black Sea grain initiative.
| Delegation | Key Negotiator | Stated Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | Rustem Umerov | Ceasefire and peace through understanding |
| Russia | Vladimir Medinsky | Security requirements and NATO limits |
| United States | Steve Witkoff & Jared Kushner | Comprehensive regional settlement |
The two-day summit in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to conclude on November 11. It remains uncertain whether Moscow is willing to cede on its long-standing demands while discussions cover political and security issues.
