In brief
Abu Dhabi will host a second day of Russia‑Ukraine‑U.S. talks on November 9, 2026, following an optimistic briefing by President Trump in Washington and a more skeptical stance from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Remaining key participants include Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner. While Russia hints at a stalled process, both sides make clear that European involvement is unlikely and that mutual trust is yet to be restored. The talks could set the stage for a broader dialogue, though no breakthrough has been confirmed yet.
Abu Dhabi will host a second day of Russia‑Ukraine‑U.S. talks on November 9, 2026, as the three delegations prepare to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russia’s special presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Washington on November 5, where he predicted a “big, beautiful agreement” that “might involve all of Europe.”
“A big, beautiful agreement that might involve all of Europe.”
“Moscow does not plan to halt combat operations ahead of the trilateral talks,” stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, signaling skepticism about a ceasefire or deal. He added that the Abu Dhabi negotiations will remain trilateral, with Russia, the United States and Ukraine, and that European participation is unlikely.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will again lead the delegation in Abu Dhabi, a choice that analysts at the Institute for the Study of War note shows the Kremlin is not yet ready for good‑faith negotiations. In February 2026, Medinsky “stalled the process by discussing the abstract ‘historical roots’ of the war.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the Abu Dhabi negotiations will focus on security guarantees, Black Sea de‑escalation, the energy sector, prisoner exchanges, and the agenda for a future leaders’ meeting.
“The Abu Dhabi negotiations will focus on a range of issues…including security guarantees, de‑escalation in the Black Sea and the energy sector, prisoner exchanges, and preparing the agenda for the leaders’ meeting.”
Ukrainian experts, including former ambassador Andriy Veselovsky, caution that the trilateral talks are unlikely to produce immediate results, calling it a chance to “convince wide circles around President Trump of the need to support Ukraine.”
China’s Zhang Hong also pointed out that Russia, Ukraine and the United States still have misaligned objectives and that the conditions for a high‑level meeting are not yet in place.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin, Beijing and Washington are reportedly exchanging views on a possible meeting between leaders Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump at the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
