Ukraine, Russia, and U.S. to hold trilateral security talks in Abu Dhabi

Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 for trilateral discussions focused on postwar security guarantees.

The upcoming meeting marks the first trilateral negotiations between the three nations since February. According to CBS News, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, expressed "restrained optimism" regarding potential progress toward an eventual meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Budanov noted that the willingness of all parties to attend suggests certain prerequisites for a meeting have been met.

The delegations will be led by high-level representatives. Ukraine’s team is headed by top negotiator Rustem Umerov, while Vladimir Putin’s aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead the Russian side. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to represent Washington. Witkoff stated the goal is to build toward a "comprehensive, durable peace agreement" that ensures lasting security.

The talks follow a period of friction between Washington and Kyiv. CBS News reported recent tensions over Elon Musk’s SpaceX throttling Starshield satellite access for Ukraine and a deal announced by President Trump to allow Russian diesel imports. Additionally, France 24 noted that President Trump recently claimed a "big, beautiful agreement" to end the war is close, though the European Union has cautioned that significant work remains.

The political landscape in the U.S. also frames these discussions following the recent midterm elections. France 24 and other reports indicate that while the Democratic victory in Congress has given Ukrainian officials hope for restored funding and aid, they recognize that foreign policy remains primarily under the control of the White House. President Zelenskyy told German broadcaster ZDF that he hopes for stronger transatlantic ties and renewed support from the incoming Congress.

Background

Relations were strained in October after SpaceX limited Ukraine’s access to Starshield satellite networks, which disrupted drone and air-defense operations before being reinstated. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, recently hitting facilities in 10 different regions.