Russia, Ukraine and US Confirm November Talks in Abu Dhabi
Written by AI from aljazeera.com's report. Not checked by a person.
Moscow and Kyiv have both confirmed that trilateral peace talks with the United States are planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, the first such negotiations since earlier this year.
Moscow and Kyiv have both confirmed that trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are scheduled for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the meetings are "planned for the first half of November in Abu Dhabi" and "will take place in a trilateral format."
The announcement follows a visit by US special envoy Steve Witkoff to St Petersburg, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that signaled Russia's readiness to reengage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Hudson Institute on Friday, confirmed he had spoken with Witkoff following the Putin meeting and said technical negotiations should happen "in the first half of November, and as early as possible." He cautioned, however, that much depends on Russia, noting a similar meeting expected earlier this month never materialised.
Hopes for significant progress remain slim. Russia has maintained hardline demands, insisting Ukraine hand over large parts of its territory and agree not to join NATO. In a televised interview, Putin said any talks should focus on long-term security arrangements for a final peace deal rather than a short truce. Zelenskyy said a lasting agreement would require strong security guarantees for Ukraine, ten years of funding to maintain its army, and European involvement in the process.
US-brokered talks were held earlier this year but produced little progress before stalling while the Trump administration focused on its war on Iran.
