Ukraine, Russia, and US delegations begin trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States commenced two-day peace talks in Abu Dhabi today, focusing on ending hostilities and security arrangements.
The day on the war
Trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States began today in Abu Dhabi, marking the first such substantive negotiations in nine months. The two-day session, mediated by U.S.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, aims to address post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian efforts. Ukraine's delegation is led by foreign intelligence chief Rustem Umerov, while Russia's includes Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have stated that battlefield successes strengthen Kyiv's negotiating position, though expectations for an immediate breakthrough remain low. As talks commenced, Russia's air campaign against Ukraine's energy grid intensified, with Ukraine's Air Force reporting 162 Russian drones and a ballistic missile launched overnight.
Concurrently, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed its forces shot down 155 Ukrainian drones over eight Russian regions and Crimea. European officials are holding separate discussions with Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi, as Russia insists on a trilateral format for the main negotiations.
Along the front
Overall Frontline
Development: Russian forces reduced their offensive tempo on November 9, with no reported advances by either side.
Source: ISW
Vasylkove
Development: Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed seizure of the settlement on November 9.
Source: RU MoD via ISW
Kupyansk
Development: Russian forces maintain limited and unconsolidated positions, facing interdiction from Ukrainian drone operations.
Source: ISW
Strikes & the grid
| Location | What | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine (various regions) | Russia launched 162 drones and one ballistic missile overnight. | Ukraine's Air Force reported the strikes. |
| Eight Russian regions and Crimea | Russian forces claimed shooting down 155 Ukrainian drones overnight. | Russia's Ministry of Defense reported the interceptions. |
Diplomacy & talks
US-mediated Trilateral Talks (Abu Dhabi). Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States began two-day working-level negotiations on November 10, focusing on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, and humanitarian efforts. Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence chief Rustem Umerov leads Kyiv's team, while Vladimir Medinsky heads the Russian delegation.
Ukraine-Europe Bilateral Consultations (Abu Dhabi). Ukrainian representatives are meeting separately with officials from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the EU in Abu Dhabi, as Russia has insisted on a trilateral format for the main talks.
US Security Guarantees for Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on November 9 that any post-war security guarantees for Ukraine would need to be acceptable to Russia to achieve a negotiated settlement.
Aid & sanctions
Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden
Measure: Discussions on support and sanctions
Detail: Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna discussed with his Lithuanian and Swedish counterparts continued support for Kyiv, Russia's isolation, and utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Continuation of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi on November 11.
- Further consultations between U.S. and European officials in Brussels this week regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and European security architecture.
- The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2027) scheduled for Tallinn in January.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.