The key facts

  • Zelensky discussed with Witkoff and Kushner preparations for the Abu Dhabi talks and consultations in Brussels
  • At the November 10–11 meeting, Kyiv intends to discuss security guarantees and the country's reconstruction
  • Peskov confirmed the Russian delegation's participation; Medinsky will remain the chief negotiator

Phone call on the eve of the talks

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone conversation with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, representatives of the American leader. The main topic was the trilateral talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. This was reported by TSN according to Gazeta.Ru. The parties discussed preparations for the meeting, as well as consultations of the technical groups of Ukraine, the US and European countries taking place in Brussels.

What Kyiv plans to put on the table

Earlier, Zelensky stated that at the talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11, security guarantees for Ukraine, the topic of the country's reconstruction, as well as four priority issues for Kyiv would be discussed. The meeting itself was announced on November 3 by the US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff: according to him, Russia and Ukraine, with US mediation, will hold talks in Abu Dhabi.

Moscow's position

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmedthat the Russian delegation will take part in this meeting. According to him, Russia's chief negotiator will remain presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Thus, the participation of all three parties in the format announced by Witkoff has now been confirmed by the Russian side as well.

Open questions

Earlier, information also emerged about whether the US would pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions; publications contain no definitive answer to this question. The details of the agenda for the November 10–11 meeting, including the four priority issues mentioned by Zelensky, have not yet been made public.