US to mediate Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November

The United States will mediate trilateral working-level talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November 2026. Special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the meetings on 2 November, writing that the discussions will cover post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts and next steps toward ending the conflict.

The Kremlin confirmed the schedule the following day. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, will lead the Russian delegation. The US side is expected to include Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Ukrainian participation follows earlier meetings in Kyiv, Oslo and St Petersburg.

The talks are the first US-mediated trilateral sessions since February, before the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran. Witkoff described the Abu Dhabi meetings as a continuation of progress made in those earlier rounds and as part of President Trump's effort to reach a lasting agreement before winter sets in.

Prior to the Abu Dhabi sessions, US officials plan to meet representatives of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO in Brussels. Those discussions will address security guarantees for Ukraine, economic support for reconstruction and the shape of Europe's post-war security architecture.

The war is now in its fifth year. Territorial questions and the terms of any security guarantees remain the largest gaps between the sides. Russia continues to hold significant areas of eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukraine has insisted on the restoration of its internationally recognised borders and on credible external guarantees. Washington has increased pressure on Kyiv in recent months to consider a deal that would freeze the current lines of control in exchange for security arrangements.

The timing coincides with the transfer of congressional power in the United States. Democrats will control both chambers from January 2027. Any long-term US commitment of aid or security assistance will require their support. The midterm results have also shifted focus toward the Iran conflict, which may reduce the bandwidth available for Ukraine talks in the near term.

Markets have not yet priced a high probability of a rapid settlement. European gas and oil prices remain sensitive to both the Ukraine war and the Middle East fighting. A breakthrough in Abu Dhabi would ease one of those two sources of risk; failure would leave the conflict on its current trajectory through the winter.

The agenda is limited to working-level issues. No summit of the three presidents is scheduled. Success will be measured by whether the parties can agree on a framework for further rounds rather than by the announcement of a ceasefire or a comprehensive treaty this month.

The last sustained round of US-mediated talks ended without agreement in early 2026. The decision to resume them in Abu Dhabi, with confirmed participation from both Kyiv and Moscow, is the clearest sign so far that the Trump administration intends to keep the diplomatic channel open despite the competing demands of the Iran campaign and the new congressional majority.