The key facts

  • Lavrov explained Ryabkov's participation by his oversight of NATO affairs, arms control, and his experience working on OSCE issues
  • According to Lavrov, the talks will first of all address security issues concerning Russia, Ukraine and the region as a whole
  • The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and the Ukrainian one by the head of the presidential office, Kirill Budanov

Delegation composition and Lavrov's comment

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the inclusion of his deputy Sergey Ryabkov in the Russian delegation at the talks on settling the conflict in Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. According to him, such participation is 'quite natural,' since Ryabkov oversees North Atlantic and arms control matters 'in the broadest sense,' and devoted a significant part of his career to OSCE issues. The statement was made at a press conference following talks with Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espinosa, reports TASS (as cited by Gazeta.Ru).

Agenda and participants

At the same press conference, Lavrov said that at the talks the parties will first of all discuss security issues concerning Russia, Ukraine and the region as a whole; Moscow, in his words, welcomes this approach proposed by the United States. The talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, mediated by the United States, are scheduled for November 10 and 11. The Russian delegation is to be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and the Ukrainian one by the head of the presidential office, Kirill Budanov. Earlier, Zelensky's office named the goal of the talks in Abu Dhabi.

What Ryabkov's participation means

The composition of the delegation is a substantive signal in itself: the inclusion of Ryabkov, who at the Foreign Ministry is responsible for the direction related to NATO and arms control, is consistent with the agenda announced by Lavrov, which centers on security issues. This is an editorial observation based on the minister's cited statements; the specific subjects of the agreements are not reported in the publications, and the outcome of the talks will become known after November 10–11.