Moscow and Kyiv are showing quiet flexibility behind the scenes regarding post-war control over eastern regions of Ukraine, according to American officials.
The diplomatic shift comes ahead of high-level trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the war.
High-ranking officials from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi ahead of the fifth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, joined the American delegation alongside Steve Witkoff to tackle complex security issues.
While neither side has publicly softened its official stance on these demands, an American official noted that both capitals have demonstrated private flexibility. However, officials acknowledged that territorial matters remain tied to broader diplomatic frameworks.
“They won’t resolve the Donetsk issue and the territorial issue until they know what the post-war security architecture will be,” an American source stated. “And keep in mind that we won’t be able to finally agree on one without the other.”
For Ukraine, any post-war security architecture could involve guarantees that Western allies will intervene if renewed aggression occurs. For Russia, the talks touch upon long-standing ambitions to secure a withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe, an objective that raises serious concerns among European governments.
The proposed framework agreement outlines crisis communication channels, security consultations, and mutual de-escalation measures between the warring parties. Officials have also floated the idea of reviving the NATO-Russia Council, which has remained largely suspended since 2022.
The United States plans to push for a multilateral format that incorporates European stakeholders into the discussions. “Hopefully we can draw the Russians into this process,” the American official said, while acknowledging Moscow’s historical reservations regarding European intermediaries.
Representatives from the European Commission, the European Council, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—operating at the security advisor level—will attend the talks alongside the chief of staff to the NATO secretary general. Ahead of the trilateral session, Trump’s special representatives are scheduled to meet directly with European counterparts in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine’s delegation for the trilateral meetings includes Foreign Intelligence Service head Rustem Umerov, Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov, first deputy Serhii Kyslytsia, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Vadym Skibitsky, and Servant of the People faction leader Davyd Arakhamia.
Ukrainian officials have indicated they do not expect a definitive breakthrough during the opening round of talks between Russian and American representatives, though hopes remain pinned on potential progress during a subsequent second round. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted following a meeting that military units continue working to strengthen Ukraine’s positioning at the negotiating table.
The trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi are scheduled for November 10–11.
