The key facts

  • Peskov answered “no” when asked whether rare earth metals would be discussed at the meeting in Abu Dhabi
  • The talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States are scheduled for November 10–11; the Russian delegation led by Medinsky has already departed
  • According to the Financial Times, European representatives will take part in separate stages, but the Kremlin describes the format as strictly trilateral

Rare earth metals excluded from the agenda

The topic of rare earth metals will not be raised at the talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi. This was stated by press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov, answering “no” to the corresponding question from RTVI journalists (the report was carried by Gazeta.Ru and Life.ru). The question concerned a possible discussion of rare earths in the context of settling the conflict in Ukraine.

Format and delegation composition

The trilateral talks are scheduled for November 10–11. The Russian delegation has already flown to the UAE; the negotiating group of five people is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. At the same time, Peskov emphasized that only trilateral talks are planned in Abu Dhabi between Moscow and Kyiv with US mediation.

European participation and Kyiv's position

The format of the meeting remains a matter of disagreement. On November 9, the Financial Times reportedthat the national security advisers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as the chiefs of staff of the European Commission president and the NATO secretary general, will take part in separate stages of the discussions in Abu Dhabi; France's participation was also announced by the French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The Kremlin, however, describes the meeting exclusively as trilateral — these statements have not yet been reconciled. It was also reported that ahead of the talks Ukraine coordinated its position with the EU.