The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, will join the Ukrainian delegation for high-level talks with the United States and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, 2026. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently held discussions with U.S. special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to coordinate preparations for this mission.
The upcoming meeting serves as a follow-up to preparatory sessions held in Brussels on November 5, which included representatives from Ukraine, NATO, and European partners. These discussions followed previous diplomatic engagements held in Florida and Oslo, according to Rustem Umerov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
The Scope of the Abu Dhabi Negotiations
The talks in the United Arab Emirates are structured as a trilateral working format mediated by the United States. U.S. presidential advisor Jared Kushner stated on X that the American team is working with both sides to develop practical solutions to ensure the discussions are as meaningful and productive as possible.
Kushner added that the U.S. objective is to address the security concerns of all parties through mutually agreed arrangements to reduce future conflict risks.
Today in Brussels, the US held productive and substantive discussions with Ukraine, NATO, and our European partners on two essential and interlinked elements of a lasting peace: security guarantees for Ukraine and a broader European security architecture. We are working…
These negotiations are not the last ones; they are not final,
Budanov told CBS News, noting that the parties are currently focused on gauging readiness to end the ongoing war. CBS correspondent Aidan Stretch noted that the presence of participants with significant combat experience could aid in understanding the technical mechanisms required for a potential ceasefire.
Ministry Views Talks as Precursor to Leadership Discussions
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that it views this round of talks as a potential precursor to future discussions at the leadership level. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that while Ukraine approaches the meeting with seriousness, the progress on the ground remains hampered by ongoing Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure and military pressure along the front lines. This includes the recent expiration of a ceasefire in Oleshky, south of the Dnieper near Kherson, on November 1. These efforts are also seen as a rehearsal for the G20 summit in Miami this December, where Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal for the Ukrainian side in Abu Dhabi?
Ukraine’s top priorities are securing an energy truce to protect critical infrastructure, ensuring the safety of the Black Sea grain corridor, and negotiating the return of children and the exchange of prisoners, according to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Who is leading the delegations for the three parties?
Rustem Umerov, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, will lead the Ukrainian delegation. Vladimir Medinsky will lead the Russian delegation. The United States is acting as the mediator for the process.
Kyrylo Budanov will lead Ukraine's delegation at US-Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, CBS News reports. Budanov told the network he does not expect a breakthrough. "These talks are not the last. They are not the final ones," he said.https://t.co/1RkGLhIBqD
Are these talks expected to result in a final peace agreement? No. Kyrylo Budanov stated that these consultations are not final and are intended to gauge the readiness of the parties to move toward ending the war. As Budanov noted regarding the potential for immediate success, We will see in a few days.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, will lead Ukraine's delegation at the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, presidential adviser Lytvyn says. https://t.co/hqG6YyO4w8
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