Ukraine and Russia began direct talks today in Abu Dhabi, the first negotiations between the two countries in more than eight months.
The meeting, held under American mediation, follows a complete breakdown in dialogue that began in February. But deep divisions remain over troop withdrawals, territorial control, and future security arrangements in Europe.
We have begun our work in the United Arab Emirates.
The first meeting will be held with representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission, joined by US Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. We will align our positions and coordinate our steps ahead of the next stage of negotiations.
This will be followed by a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
The Ukrainian delegation, alongside me, includes Kyrylo Budanov, Davyd Arakhamia, Serhii Kyslytsia and Vadym Skibitskyi.
Our key priorities are to end hostilities, secure reliable post-war security guarantees, ensure Ukraine’s economic recovery and development, and advance humanitarian efforts.
We are working to make as much progress as possible on these issues and bring peace closer.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) November 10, 2026
Ahead of the formal negotiations, the head of Ukraine’s delegation said the team is holding preliminary discussions in the Emirates with senior officials from Europe, NATO, and the U.S. administration, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said on his Telegram account that the preliminary talks aim to align positions, tighten coordination with allies, and develop joint steps ahead of the next stages of discussion.
The current meeting, planned to continue tomorrow, marks the first direct attempt to restart contact since talks hit a dead end in Geneva last February, then stopped completely following regional escalation and attacks in the Middle East. As in February, American envoys Witkoff and Kushner are closely leading the Abu Dhabi process, after making preliminary visits to Moscow and Kyiv to pave the way for renewed dialogue.
But while diplomats gather in Abu Dhabi, the fighting on the ground continues to exact a heavy toll. The Russian military continues a long war of attrition and attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, putting millions of civilians at risk of a harsh winter without electricity and water. Despite various mediation attempts for limited de-escalation, Moscow continues to refuse a comprehensive ceasefire. The sides are coming to the negotiating table sober, without expectations of an immediate breakthrough, but with an understanding that the talks themselves are a necessary step on the long road to examining the possibility of a political settlement.