The key facts

  • The Russian delegation has flown to Abu Dhabi; US-Russia-Ukraine talks will take place on November 10 and 11
  • The Financial Times reported European advisers' participation in certain stages; Peskov insists on a trilateral format
  • Ukraine coordinated its position with the EU in advance

The delegation has departed, dates are set

The Russian delegation has flown to Abu Dhabi, where talks on Ukraine will be held on November 10 and 11 with the participation of representatives of the United States, Russia and Ukraine. A source told RIA Novosti about this, and the report was carried by Gazeta.Ru. The dates of the talks had earlier also been reported by the Financial Times.

Dispute over the format: are the Europeans taking part

On November 9 the Financial Times reported, that national security advisers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as the chiefs of staff of the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO, will take part in certain stages of the talks in Abu Dhabi. France's participation had earlier also been mentioned by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. At the same time, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov emphasized, that only trilateral talks between Moscow and Kyiv, mediated by the United States, are planned in Abu Dhabi. Thus, the publications differ in their assessment of the actual format: European participation is confirmed with reference to the FT and the French Foreign Ministry, but the Russian side does not officially recognize it.

Ukraine's preparation

Before the talks, Ukraine coordinated its position with the European Union. The details of this coordination and the agenda of the talks themselves are not disclosed in available publications; the outcomes will become known after the meeting concludes on November 11.