In brief
Russian and Ukrainian delegations landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday for a two‑day trilateral summit with the United States, marking the first such meeting since February. European governments and multilateral organisations are also present, while Ukraine plans separate coordination sessions with its European partners. Ukrainian intelligence chief Rustem Umerov and presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov highlighted the emphasis on long‑term peace and humanitarian concerns, respectively, as the delegations seek practical outcomes.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, November 9, to join the United States for a two‑day trilateral meeting aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. The talks are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the first time the three parties will sit together since the outbreak of war in February.
Alongside the heads of state and senior officials from Russia and Ukraine, the delegation will be joined by representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, NATO and the European Commission. Ukrainian intelligence chief Rustem Umerov announced on Telegram that the Ukrainian negotiating team was heading to the UAE, noting that “our goal is a long‑term and sustainable peace, guaranteed security for Ukraine, and real opportunities for Ukraine's post‑war recovery.”
Umerov also said that Ukraine plans to hold separate coordination meetings with its European partners during the stay. The same analyst stated, “We need to intensify prisoner exchanges. I hope the dialogue in the UAE will deliver practical results and that we will be able to agree on the next steps to bring our people home.” Cristina Milici said later that he brought the delegation to the UAE after the 2025 Vienna talks.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stressed that “given the urgency of humanitarian issues, a swift, tangible result in prisoner‑exchange negotiations is critical.” He added that the delegation will hold meetings with European non‑sliding partners to coordinate further steps.
The United Arab Emirates will host a series of informal side meetings between the Ukrainian delegation and the European partners in addition to the scheduled trilateral talks. Reuters reports that the UAE City Council, in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will provide logistical and diplomatic support.
According to a release from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the delegation will also meet with members of the European Council and the chair of the European Defence Agency on Wednesday to discuss post‑war reconstruction. The Washington Post notes that the event signals a renewed engagement by Russia with Western actors to address long‑term peace strategies.
Ukrainian officials described the meeting as a “significant milestone” toward building a framework for both immediate conflict‑resolution steps and longer‑term recovery. The Ukrainian delegation’s stay in Abu Dhabi will be followed by a joint statement from the participating parties, potentially setting in motion a new phase in diplomatic negotiations.
