After Hours of Closed Negotiations: What Happened in Abu Dhabi Between Russia, Ukraine, and the US?

Tripartite negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday with a preliminary agreement on a wide-scale exchange of prisoners, while disagreements persisted on key files, most notably territory.

Negotiation Backdrop
The round began on November 10, marking the first direct talks between the warring parties since February. The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, while the Ukrainian delegation was headed by Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Rustem Umerov. The Ukrainian team also included Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Serhiy Kyslytsia, ruling party parliamentary bloc leader David Arakhamia, and Deputy Head of Military Intelligence Vadym Skibitsky.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended, along with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The first day's session lasted four and a half hours, including a 40-minute break. The second day proceeded behind closed doors without press presence and lasted slightly less than two hours. Sources reported that no separate meeting took place between Medinsky and Umerov, unlike what occurred in Istanbul in July 2025 and Geneva in February 2026.
Talks unfolded amidst ongoing reciprocal attacks, as the Ukrainian Prime Minister announced that Russia targeted six major power facilities in four regions overnight, while the Russian Ministry of Defense stated it shot down 627 Ukrainian drones.

Issues Discussed
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the meeting would focus on discussing security guarantees. A source from the negotiating team told TASS agency that discussions covered the formation of a new continental security system, noting that the Ukrainian settlement is just one item in a broader debate. Politico reported that the first day focused on security guarantees and prisoner exchanges, with the territorial file potentially raised on the second day.
According to the Ukrainian Strategic Communications Center, both sides discussed an "all-for-all" or 1,500-for-1,500 exchange on the first day, with the second day addressing de-escalation, Black Sea navigation security, and energy. Kyiv Post reported that the Russian delegation presented Moscow's proposals for restructuring European security, which Putin had offered to Biden in December 2021.

European Presence
Europeans did not attend the negotiation table, contrary to statements by French officials. Representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the EU, and NATO were present in Abu Dhabi and held separate consultations with the Ukrainian and American delegations, while the Russian delegation refused to meet them. Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said Europeans "worked behind the scenes with Ukrainians and Americans," and that the format of any Russian-European meeting would be considered based on Abu Dhabi results. Peskov denied contacts with European representatives there.

Key Outcomes
A preliminary agreement was reached on a wide-scale prisoner exchange, details of which will be announced soon; TASS reported implementation is expected within two to three weeks. Kushner said the number of prisoners would be determined on Thursday.
Positions were exchanged and mutual understanding achieved on some issues, but no breakthrough occurred on the territorial file.
An agreement was made to continue the negotiation process; Medinsky stated further rounds would take place soon and that Moscow does not object in principle to EU participation.

Russian Position
Medinsky said the parties "exchanged positions and found understanding on some issues but not others," describing the atmosphere as friendly and practical, adding that negotiation details are not discussed publicly before a final agreement is reached.
He argued that the current European security system "functions very poorly" and needs comprehensive change, calling for a "new Yalta and Potsdam" in the spirit of "Helsinki 1975," stating that if successful, it would secure peace in Europe for decades or perhaps centuries.
On territory, he said he sees no possibility for exchange, asserting that "every inch of our land will be returned one way or another," that the security zone along the Russian border "is expanding and will expand," and that the Russian flag "should not come down where it has been raised."
He affirmed that Russia will only be satisfied "when we win and sign a peace agreement on our terms," but noted that the parties have approached peace and much depends on the positions of Ukraine, America, and Europe.
He described the US envoys as sincere and effective, saying Europe should learn from their desire to achieve peace. Conversely, he accused European leaders of "mass deception of the Ukrainian people" and contributing to civilian deaths by funding one side of the conflict, stating Moscow has not received any concrete peace proposal from them and that they can participate "when their consciences awaken."
Ushakov described the negotiations as useful and substantive, while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously accused Europeans of trying to "buy time for Ukraine."

Ukrainian Position
Umerov said the main result was the agreement on a large prisoner exchange with work underway to coordinate details, noting there are opportunities to continue negotiations but differences are significant and "we have a lot of hard work ahead."
Vladimir Zelensky, after hearing the delegation's report, outlined three points: a humanitarian agreement to prepare a new exchange, discussion of the parties' visions for security guarantees, and consideration of broader formats with European participation. He emphasized that European security cannot be conceived without Europe and called on Washington to pressure Moscow to end the conflict.
Arakhamia saw "good momentum" toward a solution before New Year's, stating future rounds must be multilateral with European representation, and urged US envoys to quickly schedule the next round.

US Position
Kushner described the meeting as "very difficult but productive," saying the territorial file would be the hardest, though progress was made on the post-war security framework.
Writing on X platform, he stated both sides achieved "a significant breakthrough in the humanitarian field" with the preliminary agreement on the largest prisoner exchange since the war began, noting this would reunite families, build trust, and advance the peace track. He added discussions were serious, detailed, and frank, with both parties offering concrete ideas to overcome differences.
He acknowledged "substantial differences" remain, stating Washington intends to build on progress and move toward broader multilateral negotiations.
Reuters indicated US mediators sensed a lack of trust between the parties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the first day as "very productive," warning that a breakthrough requires time.

European Positions
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said before the talks she had low expectations, and the Union would not implement any security agreement negotiated without it.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna viewed a ceasefire as the best possible outcome, doubting Moscow's willingness for a truce.

Next Steps
Kushner and Witkoff are heading to Moscow, where Peskov and Ushakov confirmed their meeting with President Putin will take place on Thursday, November 12, in the first half of the day.
Kushner said he would present Putin with proposals agreed upon with Kyiv and Europeans, followed by consultations with Zelensky in Dublin, noting talks would address the possibility of involving Europeans and converting the format to multilateral.

Source: RT Arabic