Russia and Ukraine Set Abu Dhabi Talks, the First Since February
The Kremlin confirmed the November 10-11 talks as Russian strikes killed dozens overnight, including 33 at a school used as an aid center, Ukrainian officials said.
Russia confirmed Tuesday, November 3, that it will send a delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky to U.S.-mediated talks with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, the first such talks since February. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said they would cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward peace.
Speaking in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine wants to discuss security guarantees, a ceasefire on energy infrastructure, a Black Sea truce to protect food exports, prisoner exchanges and preparations for a meeting of the three countries' leaders. He said Europe should be involved in the negotiations. Merz said he still saw no serious Russian willingness for peace and that Russia must show it is serious about a ceasefire. U.S. envoys are meeting representatives of Germany, France, Britain, NATO and the European Union in Brussels this week on security guarantees.
The announcement followed overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine; Ukrainian officials said 33 people were killed in a strike on a school being used as an aid distribution center. A six-day local ceasefire in the Kherson region, the longest truce of the war, ended Sunday after allowing a humanitarian mission to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky. The White House said first lady Melania Trump would host Russian and Ukrainian representatives to discuss the Kherson ceasefire.
Sources